From The Tribune staff reports
LEEDS — An armed and dangerous person wanted out of Prattville was arrested in Leeds on Saturday, Nov. 5.
According to the Leeds Police Department (LPD), officers were notified to be on the lookout for Michael Butler, 35, of Greenville, who kidnapped two juveniles for sexual purposes in Prattville, Alabama, on Thursday, Nov. 3.
“The vehicle was last seen in Oxford and, prior to that, in Atlanta, Georgia,” LPD Chief Paul Irwin stated. “He was wanted regarding a couple of armed robberies and an attempted murder in the Atlanta area as well.”
Irwin stated officers from the LPD took that information and sat near Interstate 20 for over an hour. At approximately 10:01 p.m., an LPD officer spotted the suspect vehicle and verified that it was the suspect.
“Several Leeds Police Officers attempted to stop the vehicle at mile marker 140,” Irwin stated. “The suspect began to flee until he drove off the roadway and down an embankment. The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by the Leeds Police Department with the assistance of the Moody Police Department and St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office.”
The suspect was armed with multiple firearms.
Butler was taken into custody, and the City of Prattville responded to the Leeds Police Department to take custody of this criminal and tow his vehicle.
“Butler is an example of the predators that are in the community who should be in jail,” Irwin stated. “This individual is charged with kidnapping two juveniles for sex purposes and an array of charges to follow in Georgia. He has a lengthy criminal record and put officers and the public in harm’s way.”
Irwin stated he is very proud of the courageous actions of our officers and their dedication to duty.
“They continue to make me proud every day,” Irwin stated. “When we share information and have motivated officers like these who want to make a difference in the community, we can do great things. I appreciate the Moody Police Department and the St. Clair County Sheriff Deputies who assisted in this apprehension. It is great when we can all work together to make our communities in the State of Alabama safer.”