On Sunday, December 15, 2024, deputies were working a Traffic Safety Checkpoint detail at Forestdale Bend Road and Roberta Rd when they received an alert for a stolen vehicle in the area. Deputies located the stolen Nissan Altima pulling into a Church on Hillcrest Road. When deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, the passenger surrendered; however, the driver ran into a nearby wooded area. Moments later, deputies discovered that Santa (Retired deputy, Larry Williams, who was dressed in a Santa outfit and was volunteering at a local church) had detained the suspect and was escorting him across Hillcrest Road. Santa stated that he observed the suspect attempting to sneak back towards the church and blend in with the crowd. The passenger in the stolen vehicle was released.
Sheriff Mark Pettway stated, “We need all the help we can get. Thank you, Santa, for the assist! Even Santa has our back when it comes to fighting crime.”
The suspect has been identified as: Derrion King, age, 18. King is Charged with Receiving Property 1st Degree with a $15,000.00 bond and Attempting to Elude a Police Officer with a $1,000.00 bond. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.
If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, they are encouraged to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.