By By Adam Prestridge
Three Atmore men are behind bars after they led officers with the Atmore Police Department and 21st Judicial Drug Task Force on an adrenaline-pumping foot chase Monday afternoon.
Charles Jones, 18, and 20-year-olds Ricco Brooks and Christopher Jackson are being held at the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton after they kicked down the front door of an Atmore home located at 108 Ave. D and burglarized it.
"A witness who lives nearby called the police department and stated that he saw several black male individuals around the house," Investigator Chuck Brooks said. "He called the police and we dispatched two officers to home."
Upon arrival, officers quickly detained Jones following a brief foot pursuit. Brooks and Jackson managed to elude officers and hid out in some nearby woods, which were quickly surrounded for the safety of nearby residents.
"When officers arrived at the scene they called for assistance and agents from the Drug Task Force and an officer with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office responded," Brooks said. "A perimeter was set up until the suspects were apprehended."
While Brooks and Jackson sweated it out in the 90-degree heat, officers learned that a handgun had been stolen from the home during the burglary, which alarmed officers at the scene.
"I immediately alerted the officers that one of the suspects was armed," Brooks said.
With nowhere to go, the duo exited the woods from separate ends with their hands in the air where they were placed under arrest.
Once all the suspects were handcuffed and placed in the back of patrol cars, officers scoured the area for evidence. During their search, investigators discovered approximately $200 in coins, many of which were rare and could have higher sale values.
"They ransacked the inside of the house," Brooks said.
Each of the suspects was charged with first-degree burglary, which is a Class-A felony and holds a prison sentence of 10 years to life. According to an official with the Escambia County Detention Center, Brooks is being held on a $100,000 bond and Jackson and Jones are each being held on $25,000 bonds.