The Commerce Police Department has confirmed that officers arrested a Braselton man wanted on charges related to an early morning crime spree in Winder Monday.
Authorities had been seeking Waylon Robert Westbrooks, 17, of Kirby Circle in Braselton after he was identified as the perpetrator in an early morning vehicle theft from a Winder subdivision.
Westbrooks allegedly stole a 2006 F-150 truck from a Shenandoah Lane address between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. The vehicle was later involved in a serious motor vehicle accident on I-85 in Jackson County.
Westbrooks was also listed as a suspect in a series of car break-ins overnight on Buena Vista Street and St. Ives Circle in Winder. According to police reports, the suspect acquired a large caliber handgun from one of the vehicles.
After being involved in the Jackson County car crash, Westbrooks reportedly stole another vehicle from a residence near the accident scene.
Westbrooks was apprehended after a pawn shop owner in Commerce noticed Westbrooks stealing money from the store cash register. As Westbrook fled the scene, the pawn shop owner made note of the license plate on Westbrooks’ vehicle and called police.
Lt. Ken Harmon of the Commerce Police Department said officers apprehended Westbrooks a short time later at a nearby gas station.
Westbrooks has been turned over to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, according to Harmon.
City police charged Westbrooks with theft by receiving stolen property and theft by taking.
