Three arrested in Dale County car break-ins

Team work and community support have resulted in the arrests of three Abbeville men in connection with 23 vehicle break-ins that occurred in Dale County.

At a press conference held at the Dale County Sheriff Department Office in Ozark June 21, Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson and Daleville Police Chief Allen Medley announced the arrest of Marquise Hollins, 21, Moesnqarius Cooper, 18, and Deven Mills, 18, all of Abbeville.

The trio are charged in connection with 20 vehicle break-ins that occurred in Daleville in the early morning hours of June 15 and six break-ins several days earlier in the Ariton area.

Medley said that 17 of the victims opted to press charges. A firearm has been recovered from one of the break-ins, Medley said.

Through a joint effort of the Dale County Sheriff’s Department and the Abbeville, Dothan and Headland Police Departments, the arrests were made.

“We also learned that one of the victims had gone outside to walk his dog and had an interaction with one of the suspects,” Medley said. “He actually gave him a bottle of water but then later on learned that they had gone through his vehicle, too.

Medley thanked Olson and the DCSO and the other law officers “for their assistance.” He credited tips from citizens also. “We depend on citizens to help us solve these crimes through tips,” he said. “Without them sometimes we’d just spin our wheels.”

Olson agreed. “It’s all about team work,” he said. “It takes all of us working together for one common goal. It’s through the community that we get our help. They are the eyes and ears when we are not around.

“The communities working together and the law enforcement communities working together, that is what makes us successful in solving crimes like this,” Olson added. “It’s good to know we give closure to the victims of these crimes.”