OZARK, Ala. — An investigation into the theft of equipment from a funeral home in Ozark led authorities across multiple states and eventually to the arrest of a Georgia man in Florida, according to the Ozark Police Department.
Police said the investigation began July 25 after officers were notified that a Ferno mortuary stretcher and cot cover, valued at approximately $7,100, had been stolen from a funeral home in Ozark.
Investigators quickly determined a suspect vehicle had been involved in a similar theft, police said.
With assistance from the Dale County Sheriff’s Office and the victims, investigators identified a male suspect and vehicle.
According to Ozark police, the investigation uncovered what authorities described as a multi-jurisdictional string of similar crimes involving mortuaries across several states, including South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
Police said the same suspect was believed to be connected to the mortuary thefts.
Investigators identified the suspect as 58-year-old Christopher Michael Johnson of Largo, Florida.
According to police, investigators used license plate readers in the Ozark Police Department and Dale County Sheriff’s Office jurisdictions, along with other law enforcement resources, including Flock cameras, to determine the route Johnson allegedly traveled.
Police said the route coincided with several other crimes in multiple states involving funeral homes.
Following what Ozark police described as a collaborative, multi-agency investigation, warrants were issued for Johnson’s arrest.
Johnson was later arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
According to Ozark police, Johnson is awaiting extradition and trial in multiple other cases across multiple states.
In connection with the Ozark investigation, Johnson faces two counts of breaking and entering and two counts of first-degree theft of property.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The Ozark Police Department credited 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 assisting with the investigation and Johnson’s apprehension.
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