Man charged with burglary after victim spots items at pawnshop

A man was charged with burglary after the alleged victim reported that he witnessed the man trying to pawn the stolen items.

Bibb County deputies were called to Van's Pawn Mart at 3771 Mercer University Drive on Saturday, according to a release. The victim of a burglary was at the store when he spotted two men pawning his stolen items, the release stated.

He contacted the sheriff's department and deputies responded while the suspects were still there. One of them, Ellis Laron Smith, 26, of Macon fled on foot but was caught as he tried to scale a fence, the release stated.

The two men were taken to the sheriff's department for questioning. Investigators determined that Smith committed the burglary. He was charged with burglary, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction of a peace officer and a probation warrant violation. The other suspect, Brian Chadwick Billingslea, 26, of Macon, was arrested on outstanding warrants.

This story was originally published October 31, 2015 at 10:52 PM with the headline "Man charged with burglary after victim spots items at pawnshop ."