Two teens charged after vehicle break-ins at north Macon hotel

Deputies say the suspects fled in a stolen SUV before crashing on Napier Avenue and were later arrested with a gun and key fobs.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two teens are facing charges after deputies say they broke into vehicles outside a north Macon hotel early Saturday morning.

According to a news release from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Holiday Inn Macon North on River Place Drive just after 2 a.m. for reports of car alarms and two suspects entering vehicles.

Deputies say the suspects, dressed in all black, took off in a blue SUV. When deputies tried to stop the vehicle on Riverside Drive, the driver refused to pull over, leading to a chase that ended on Napier Avenue near Brookdale Avenue. Multiple people ran from the SUV, but deputies caught two of them after a short foot chase.

Investigators say they recovered a stolen vehicle, a firearm with an extended magazine and several key fobs at the scene. The SUV used in the crime had been reported stolen out of Warner Robins.

Deputies identified the suspects as a 16-year-old and 17-year-old Jay’Shawn Lamar Smith, both from Macon. The juvenile was charged with theft by receiving stolen property and two counts of entering an automobile. He was released to his parents and is awaiting a court hearing.

Smith was charged with theft by receiving stolen property, two counts of entering an automobile, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and multiple traffic violations. Deputies say he is being held without bond.

The sheriff’s office says the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed.