CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — A couple of Cherokee County citizens are being credited with helping arrest a suspect wanted in connection with a multi-county crime spree.
More than a dozen police reports implicate Jacob Henson, whom deputies were after for weeks. They caught a break when they set up a perimeter in a neighborhood filled with people ready to help out.
"I think it wasn't smart for him to run through the neighborhood here," said Director Jay Baker, with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
The warning signs were all over a rural Cherokee County neighborhood, but deputies said the suspect ignored them and ended up in handcuffs.
"You really should not come on someone's property, especially if you're wanted, (because) people will come out guns a-blazing," a neighbor, who did not want to be identified, told Channel 2 Action News.
The neighbor, who lives off of Little Refuge Road, said the suspect was hiding on her property Monday afternoon.
Henson, 25, is linked to 15 crimes in Cherokee County over the past three weeks, according to deputies.
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"I thought the perp was close by, so I ran in and got my gun," the neighbor said.
Authorities said Henson was running from deputies after a dirt bike wreck.
"I look out my window, and he's trying to hide in my carport, and I came out with my gun and chased him around my barn," the neighbor said.
It was around 12:30 p.m. when she said she fired four warning shots.
"By me firing shots in the air, it alerted my neighbor, so he knew he was coming his way," the neighbor said.
A neighbor held Henson at gunpoint until the sheriff and another deputy were able to arrest him.
"They both, together, helped stop him, otherwise we probably wouldn't have gotten him yesterday, to be quite honest with you," Baker said.
The sheriff's office said Henson pointed a shotgun at three victims while stealing vehicles across multiple counties.
Some neighbors said they didn't hide from a chance to do their part.
"I think neighbors need to stick together and watch out for each other," the neighbor said.
Sheriff Frank Reynolds posted a picture of the arrest to his personal Facebook page, but online backlash made him remove it.
Baker said the sheriff did not intend to belittle anyone.
"If people are upset about it, we certainly understand that, sorry about that, absolutely," Baker said.
A member of the suspect's family told Channel 2 Action News the whole family was hurt by the photo and they'd like a personal apology.
They also said Henson has a history of drug addiction and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Henson remains in jail awaiting a court appearance Thursday.
Cox Media Group
