Four charged in Center Point apartment burglaries - ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

Deputies responded to a report of four men breaking into an unoccupied apartment.

Shortly after 4:00 PM Monday deputies with Jefferson County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a burglary in progress at Stratford Square Apartments in Center Point.  It was reported that four males were breaking into an unoccupied apartment. When deputies arrived, the four males exited the apartment and attempted to escape on foot. A deputy pursued the suspects. Two of suspects pointed guns at the deputy. When the deputy drew his weapon they threw their guns down and continued to run. Three of them were taken into custody.  

While the three were being handcuffed, deputies heard a woman scream from another apartment. They went to the apartment and forced their way in. Once inside, they found the fourth suspect, 24 year old Eric Johnson, assaulting the female resident.

It was discovered that in an effort to elude deputies, the suspect knocked on the woman's door and identified himself as police. When she opened the door he forced his way inside, knocked her down and took her phone to prevent her from calling for help.  Johnson was taken into custody.

Deputies learned that the four had broken into the first apartment to smoke marijuana.