ALBANY, GA (WALB) – Quick thinking neighbors help nab a suspected burglar Monday night using a bold, but successful scheme.
Around 9 o'clock someone broke a window at Mary "B" Flowers on West Highland Avenue and climbed inside. Owner Mary Stephens said her burglar alarm went off inside the business and alerted her next door neighbors.
When they came outside, she says they saw the suspect trying to kick down the front door to get out.
"From my understanding, he tired to get out of this door. He was kicking on the door and my neighbors next door heard this noise and came out to see what was going on," said Stephens.
The suspect, 47-year-old Kenneth Varner, went from the front door to the back door. When he couldn't get outside there, he jumped out the window. That's when her neighbors jumped into action.
"They called the police immediately and got in their car and decided to follow him and asked him to get in the car," said Stephens.
But the unsuspecting burglar didn't realize the people offering him a ride were well aware of his crime. How they got him in the car is what would eventually lead to his arrest.
They offered him - do I need to say this - a Beer," said Stephens. "Come on man, let's go get a beer." she said.
Surprisingly, Varner obliged and went along for the ride. But when his "would be" beer buddies brought him back to Mary B's, the police were already there.
Varner knew the gig was up. He took off running only to be captured by police on nearby Cleveland Avenue.
While Stephens has some repairs to make, she's thankful for neighbors looking out for one another. She says she's blessed.
"They (criminals) aren't going to win. I have been in business for 23 years and God be to glory, I will be here as long as he will have me here," she said.
Stephens say nothing was taken during the break in. Varner is being held in the Dougherty County Jail on burglary charges.
©2011 WALB News. All rights reserved. Feedback
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Worldnow and WALB, a Raycom Media Station. 
