Deonte Smith : “Teen Suspects Arrested for Vehicle Break-Ins”

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – Two teenagers have been taken into custody and are facing a slew of charges after being caught breaking into vehicles in the Benning Hills area over the weekend.

According to authorities, the incident took place in the early hours of Saturday, June 29, when Columbus Police officers were called to a residence following reports of two males attempting to break into parked cars.

The homeowner confronted the suspects, and when one of them made a threatening move towards the homeowner, the homeowner fired a shot in self-defence. The suspects then fled the scene in a vehicle.

Shortly after the altercation, law enforcement officers were alerted to a male, later identified as 18-year-old Deonte Smith, entering a Circle K store on Victory Dr. and N. Lumpkin Rd with a gunshot wound.

Smith was taken to a nearby hospital and is currently in stable condition. The second suspect, 17-year-old Alex Lopez, was apprehended with a stolen firearm in his possession.

Authorities discovered another firearm and over 40 grams of marijuana inside the suspects’ vehicle.

Lopez is facing charges including but not limited to entering auto, receiving stolen property (firearm), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug-related objects, loitering, and credit card theft.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Smith, who will be transferred to the Muscogee County Jail once he is discharged from the hospital.