By Jeff Devine, The Chronicle
An investigation that began with the theft of approximately $15,000 worth of equipment from two separate Ozark funeral homes ended up expanding into a multi-state investigation involving similar crimes at mortuaries and led to the arrest of a Florida man, according to the Ozark Police Department.
Ozark police were notified July 25 of the theft of a specialized mortuary stretcher and cot cover from a local funeral home. While investigators were working the case, they quickly learned that another funeral home had reportedly experienced a similar theft.
With assistance from the Dale County Sheriff’s Office and the victims, investigators identified a male suspect and the vehicle believed to have been used in the crimes.
What initially appeared to be a local theft investigation soon expanded considerably.
According to the Ozark Police Department, investigators uncovered what the department described as a “multi-jurisdictional sophisticated ring of similar crimes” spanning several states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The reported victims in those cases were mortuaries.
Through what police described as a “very thorough investigation” involving the Ozark Police Department and Dale County Sheriff’s Office, investigators identified the suspect as 58-year-old Christopher Michael Johnson of Largo, Florida.
Investigators also positively identified the vehicle allegedly used in the Ozark crimes. Police said multiple law enforcement resources were used during that process, including Flock cameras.
Those resources allowed investigators to reconstruct Johnson’s alleged travel route.
According to police, the route traveled by Johnson coincided with several other reported crimes involving funeral homes in other states.
The investigation ultimately became a collaborative effort involving law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions. Warrants were issued for Johnson, who was subsequently arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
Johnson is currently awaiting extradition, according to Ozark police, and is expected to face trial in connection with multiple other cases in several states.
Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Manager, John Cawley, expressed gratitude toward law enforcement for their work in catching the person believed to be responsible for the thefts.
“I just want to say that I appreciate the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement. This was an intensive investigation and our guys did a great job. Justice will be served,” Cawley said.
In the Ozark investigation, Johnson is charged with two counts of breaking and entering and two counts of first-degree theft of property.
The Ozark Police Department said the investigation remains ongoing.
Police also emphasized that Johnson is considered innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
Ozark police credited the cooperation of multiple agencies with helping investigators identify the suspect, track his movements and ultimately secure his arrest.
The department specifically thanked the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, Dothan Police Department, Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Beach Police Department and Green Cove Springs Police Department for their assistance and collaboration during the investigation.
The case illustrates how an investigation that began with a theft in Ozark expanded beyond local jurisdiction as investigators identified similar reported crimes and used information from multiple law enforcement agencies to follow the trail across state lines.
The Ozark Police Department said additional information may be released as the investigation progresses.
In our criminal justice system, all individuals accused of crimes or illegal behavior are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
To read our initial report on the thefts, click here.
