By Gary Lloyd
GRAYSON VALLEY — Just before 2 a.m. today, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a burglary in progress at a vacant home in the 1700 block of Driftwood Lane in Grayson Valley.
A neighbor called and reported that there was a suspicious car in the driveway and unusual noises coming from inside.
Deputies arrived to find a car in the driveway and they heard loud banging from inside, said Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Randy Christian. The basement door had been forced open. Some of the deputies surrounded the residence while others went in to investigate. A male suspect ran out the front door and encountered deputies waiting, Christian said. He went back into the house and ran out the back door. He jumped off the back deck and was arrested by deputies waiting there, Christian said.
Deputies went inside and discovered that the suspect had been cutting and removing the copper pipes from the residence. He had caused extensive damage to the pipes, ceiling and walls in the home, Christian said. Deputies found a shotgun and crow bar in the suspect’s car.
He was identified as 27-year-old Devon Martez Simmons of Huffman. He was charged with third-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, first-degree criminal mischief and attempting to elude. He is in the Jefferson County Jail with bonds totaling $27,500.
