Conyers police were able to quickly catch two burglars in progress in the Hunting Creek subdivision thanks to an anonymous caller on Monday.

Terry Burris-Bent, 19, of Lithonia and John Blackwell, 20, of Conyers, were arrested and charged with first degree burglary.

An anonymous caller tipped off police on Monday, Sept. 17, around 1:11 p.m. that there was a burglary in progress at 1759 Ridge Court in the Hunting Creek subdivision near Ga. Highway 138. The caller described two black males in a green Ford Explorer that were leaving the house at 1759 Ridge Court.

When Conyers Police Officer Chase Pate arrived, after talking with the anonymous caller, he went to a nearby townhome 1762 Fox Chase Court and saw two men, Burris-Bent and Blackwell, leaving the townhome.

Burris-Bent reportedly told the officer that he and Blackwell were told there was an abandoned townhome in the Hunting Creek subdivision and they could make some extra money by removing appliances from the townhome. Officer Pate checked the Explorer and saw a stove/oven combination in the back. Officers on the scene also discovered door handles missing from the Ridge Court residence.

“Being alert and aware of your surroundings and suspicious activity taking place in your neighborhood is crucial to helping us do our job,” said Chief of Police Gene Wilson. “I commend the citizen who alerted us to this criminal activity and encourage those that feel safe to do so to please report anything that might assist the police in taking criminals off of our streets.” 

After questioning, suspects Burris-Bent and Blackwell were charged with first degree burglary and transported to the Rockdale County Jail.