Bond set for teen accused of multiple burglaries

Published 9:08 pm Wednesday, June 24, 2009

A Plantersville teen knows how much it will take for him to make bond after his first hearing with a judge Wednesday.

District Court Judge Robert Armstrong III set Justin Collins’ bond at $250,000 per charge, which ends up in a total bond of $750,000.

“Justin Collins should have a preliminary trial in a few weeks,” District Attorney Michael Jackson said. A preliminary trial is a proceeding before a judicial officer in which the territorial jurisdiction of the court, and whether there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crime and send the case to a grand jury.

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Collins was formally arrested Monday for three counts of burglary in the third degree — two from the county and one with the city — and one count of failure to appear. He was taken into custody after being released from the hospital Friday.

“Detectives believe Justin Collins is connected with a burglary in the 1800 block of Moores Ferry Road,” Lt. David Evans said. “He was charged with the crime that took place June 12.”

The burglary Collins is suspected of committing occurred less than a week from the burglaries deputies charged him with Monday.

Authorities said both burglaries occurred on Thursday, just a day before the wreck on County Road 81 and Alabama Highway 22.

Collins is suspected of breaking into one residence in the Marion Junction area and another in Okmulgee.

“There could be additional charges added on at another time,” Chief Deputy Randy Pugh said.

Collins was charged with failure to appear because he walked off from a drug rehab facility, which he was ordered by court to attend.

Since Friday Collins has been in the Dallas County Jail under no bond, but that changed Wednesday.

Collins was involved in a wreck Friday morning with Wesley Stone, 19.

“The initial report is that the white 1997 Nissan Altima was traveling north on County Road 81,” Alabama State Trooper John Reese said. “When the two teenagers approached the intersection of County Road 81 and Alabama Highway 22, they did not stop.”

Authorities identified the driver as 18-year-old Collins, who was driving 19-year-old Stone’s vehicle at the time of the incident. Stone was a passenger in the car.

“Both teenagers were taken to Vaughan Regional Medical Center,” Reese said.

Stone was transported to another hospital where he is still being treated at this time. Stone is listed in stable condition, according to authorities.

Deputies had no comment on Stone and if there are any potential charges against him.

Police also said there may be other charges for Collins.

“There may be other burglaries that Justin Collins participated in or is connected to the incident,” Evans said.