Clayton County police are crediting a wanted murder suspect’s mother for the fugitive’s arrest Thursday morning.
Joseph Horace Stephens, 21, was accused of shooting and killing Goldy Lee Watkins Sr., at Watkins’ home Tuesday evening, then stealing his pickup truck.
Stephens was living with Watkins and the two were arguing when the incident happened, Clayton police Maj. Joseph Woodall told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“Our victim in this shooting had just told the suspect that he was going to have to move out,” Woodall said. “The victim had discovered that the suspect was stealing from him.”
Police said the confrontation between the two men escalated, and just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, Watkins was fatally shot.
Warrants for Stephens’ arrest were issued on charges of murder, theft by taking, aggravated assault and false imprisonment, and authorities put out a bulletin announcing him as a fugitive.
Investigators found the stolen Dodge Ram 1500 pickup Wednesday afternoon, but did not locate Stephens until this morning, Woodall said.
“His mom called police and told us that she had him in the car with him and told us where she was going,” he said.
Police intercepted the car on Tara Boulevard in Spalding County, Woodall said, and found Stephens inside, armed with a handgun.
Stephens was arrested without incident, police said.
“We credit that mother for helping us arrest him,” Woodall said.
He is being questioned by police and will be taken to the Clayton County Jail, police said.
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