FROM CHIEF P.K. JOHNSON
MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
On October 31, 2021, Millbrook police responded to the 100 block of Kelley Blvd., with regard to a vehicle reported stolen at that location. The victim advised responding officers that she left her vehicle running, while entering a business to make a purchase, taking her key fob with her. As the victim entered the business, she observed an individual speaking to someone on the businesses phone, asking for a ride home. When the victim exited the business, she discovered her 2011 Nissan Altima had been taken. Officers completed a theft report and forwarded a lookout to surrounding law enforcement agencies.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department located and recovered the victim’s vehicle in the 200 block of Zeigler Drive in Wetumpka. The victim’s cell phone was missing from the vehicle. Witnesses identified the suspect as Michael L. Nelson, a 25-year-old Millbrook resident.
Millbrook detectives obtained arrest warrants for Nelson and forwarded the information to Crime Stoppers, who later profiled this case in the media. After seeing the case profiled on the local news, Michael Nelson surrendered to Millbrook detectives on November 23, 2021. Nelson was placed under arrest, being charged with Theft of Property 1st Degree, Theft of Property 3rd Degree, and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree.
We are pleased to announce this arrest, as it’s a perfect example of the partnership that exist between law enforcement in the River Region and Crime Stoppers. Our patrol officers got a lookout on the victim’s vehicle quickly and fortunately the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department was able to locate and recover the vehicle. Our detectives were able to quickly identify the suspect and obtain arrest warrants in this case. Apparently the offender saw the case being profiled and made the wise decision to surrender to law enforcement, once he realized that he’d been identified and was wanted on outstanding warrants.
This should also serve as a cautionary tale to anyone thinking that they can park a vehicle and leave it running because they’re only going to be in the store for just a few seconds. That’s all it takes to have your vehicle stolen. When you exit your vehicle, always shut the engine off and take your vehicle keys with you.
In this case, the victim was under the mistaken impression that the vehicle couldn’t be taken because she was in possession of the key fob. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Thankfully we were able to get the victim’s vehicle back and make an arrest in this case. Remember, 80 % of all crime is committed through opportunity. I want to thank both the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department and Crime Stoppers for their assistance in this case.
