Jefferson County Deputies Arrest Burglary Suspect After Chase

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — An 18-year-old burglary suspect was apprehended after a vehicle and foot chase with Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies Friday. Nicholas Maurice Simmons was charged with attempting to elude, reckless endangerment, tampering with physical evidence, receiving stolen property and unlawfully carrying a pistol.

At approximately 8:25 a.m. Friday, a deputy spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen in the parking lot of a convenience store on Roebuck Drive. That vehicle had also been used in a string of car burglaries in the area.

The driver of the vehicle reportedly attempted to flee and led deputies on a chase that ended when he wrecked the vehicle and bailed out. The driver then fled on foot through the Zion City Community., according to a report by David Agee of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

"The citizens reported his direction of travel," Agee said. "Sheriff’s deputies and Birmingham police officers set up a perimeter and were able to keep him boxed in a small area until our K9 units could arrive."

Agee said the K9 dogs tracked the man to a car wash and deputies found him attempting to change clothes. Simmons was arrested there.

Simmons' bonds total $34,000. Two men who tried to assist Simmons in avoiding capture were also arrested and charged with interfering with government operations.