Game Camera Alert Leads To Arrest In Crockett-Area Burglary

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

HOUSTON COUNTY — A game camera notification led Houston County deputies to a Crockett-area property Tuesday, where they arrested a man accused of burglary.

According to Sheriff Zak Benge, Sergeant Kasey Witherspoon and Deputy Kodee Butler responded Aug. 18 to a report of a suspicious person on private property. The property owner had received an alert showing an unknown man walking around the property.

When deputies arrived, Witherspoon located Justin Bruce Davenport, 45, inside the fenced property. The area was enclosed by barbed-wire fencing and secured by a locked cattle gate.

Davenport was initially detained on suspicion of criminal trespass.

During the investigation, deputies discovered that the front screen door of the residence was standing open. The property owner told deputies the doors had been secured when the property was last checked the previous day.

The owner also found several items that had been inside the residence moved outside and placed together in the carport.

Based on the evidence, deputies determined they had interrupted what appeared to be a burglary in progress before Davenport could leave the property with the items, according to Benge.

After additional evidence was gathered, probable cause was developed to charge Davenport with burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony.

Davenport was arrested and transported to the Houston County Jail without further incident.

All persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]