An 18-year-old man, Landon Kane Melson, was arrested after Decatur police say he hid inside Academy Sports & Outdoors and stole firearms and other merchandise after hours. The incident occurred on January 22, when police responded to an alarm at the store on Wimberly Drive SW.
According to investigators, Melson entered the store during business hours and concealed himself behind merchandise. After the store closed, he reportedly broke into the gun case in the firearms section, stealing multiple guns and other items before exiting through the back door.
Melson was identified as the suspect after an investigation by the Decatur Police Department’s Property Crimes Detectives. On January 23, with the help of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), officers located and arrested him at a local business.
Melson faces charges of third-degree burglary and 14 counts of second-degree theft. He is currently being held in the Morgan County Jail with a $150,000 bond.