By Jean Cole
An Elkmont man involved in a high-speed chase with law-enforcement officials in January has admitted his part in 40 to 50 burglaries in Limestone and Madison counties since September 2009, an official said.
Richard Bono Sharpe, 37, of 24491 Thatch Road, is facing four additional counts of burglary, according to Limestone County Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Stanley McNatt.
He and Carol Lyn Young, 34, of 1613 McKee Road in Toney, were involved in a wreck Jan. 15, on Pisgah Road in the Oak Grove community while fleeing law-enforcement officials from Madison and Limestone counties. At the time of the wreck, the two were charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing justice and second-degree possession of marijuana. Madison County officials also had burglary charges pending against them.
Limestone County officials looked into past burglaries in the county and, on Jan. 21, charged the couple with third-degree burglary in connection with a break-in and theft.
After further investigation by the entire Sheriff’s Department staff, Sharpe received the additional burglary charges Tuesday, McNatt said.
“Sharpe cooperated in telling us about various burglaries — 40 to 50 homes in Limestone County, Athens, Ardmore and Madison County,” he said. “We made four additional charges and other charges are pending, which we will be taking to the next grand jury. Other agencies will also be presenting cases on him.”
Young is not facing any additional burglary charges, he said.
“We haven’t been able to recover much property because he had already gotten rid of it, but we have been able to clear a number of burglaries,” McNatt said.
