House burglary thwarted by occupants

Published 6:20 pm Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Sheriff Kenny Harden said two individuals broke down the door of an occupied manufactured home on Harvest Ridge Road at 10:30 p.m. Monday night demanding money, according to witness statements.

Harden said despite threats on the occupants life, one of the four people inside the home managed to call the authorities with a description of the vehicle and suspects. It was then, according to witnesses, that the suspects fled the scene.

Deputies responded and apprehended Jeffery A. Moorer, 19, and Lamonica D. Johnson, 23, a short distance away from the house. The two were arrested and charged with burglary 1st, criminal menacing, and endangering the welfare of a child.

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Harden said that a handgun and an 18-month-old was found in the suspects’ car. “These suspects were babysitting the child,” Harden said, “and DHR returned the child to the parent unharmed.”

Harden said the suspects and victims knew each other.

“The victim had bought the house from the grandmother of the woman that came in the house,” Harden said. “The woman had paid for the trailer, but was still living on the land.”

Harden said Johnson and Moorer claimed they had come by to collect some money.