One arrested in burglary of home
by MCL staff writer

Weapons and illegal drugs found when officers searched the residence.

On Sunday, May 13, 2007, Miller County sheriff's officers, Captain Shane Rathel and Chief Investigator Ben Nix were investigating a burglary that had occurred on Saturday, May 12, at 134 Mason Road.

There was a 22 magnum handgun stolen out of the residence. Investigator Nix and Captain Rathel had information that the person living at 150 Mason Road was involved in the burglary.

Captain Rathel and Investigator Nix went to the residence and spoke to William Johnson. Mr. Johnson stated he lived at the residence with his wife and a friend of his wife.

Investigator Nix advised Mr. Johnson of the burglary that took place next door and asked Mr. Johnson for consent to search his residence for the weapon. Mr. Johnson gave consent for the search.

Investigator Nix started looking in Mr. Johnson's bedroom for the weapon and while looking for the gun, Investigator Nix saw some baggies on the night stand that had what he believed to be cocaine in them. Nix also noticed a 22 mag. cartridge on the dresser. Captain Rathel called deputies Robert Grier and Brad Cox to the residence where they waited on Mr. Johnson's wife and roommate to return. When they returned to the house, they were ID'd, and Mr. Johnson was arrested for possession of cocaine.

On that same date, Investigator Nix found the handgun at a pawn shop in Bainbridge. It was also found that the gun was pawned in Robert Ezell's name. Mr. Ezell was the roommate of Mr. Johnson.

While on the phone with the pawn shop, Investigator Nix was advised that there was a person in the pawn shop trying to get the gun out of pawn.

Investigator Nix called Investigator Chip Nix of the Decatur County Sheriff's Department and advised him of what was going on. Investigator Nix in return called Investigator Walton who went to the pawn shop and saw Mr. Ezell going into the Dollar Store. Investigator Nix and Captain Rathel went to the store, and Captain Rathel arrived and went into the Dollar Store and located Mr. Ezell and placed him under arrest.

The pistol was recovered by Investigator Chip Nix. Mr. Ezell was transported to the Decatur County Jail where he was interviewed by investigators, Ben Nix and Chip Nix. Mr. Ezell confessed to the burglary at 134 Mason Road and also confessed to other burglaries in Decatur County.