Even after the Columbus Police Department encouraged Kenneth Macon to turn himself in over the weekend, he remains on the loose, according to CPD Chief Joseph St. John.
St. John said officers are continuing to be on the lookout.
“We have been looking all weekend for him. We have had some leads and have gotten good information to go on. We hoped he would have turned himself in over the weekend,” he said.
St. John said it is against the law to harbor a fugitive and encourages citizens to contact the CPD if they have any information.
“Crime Stoppers, along with private businesses, are offering rewards to a person who has information that leads to the arrest of Kenneth Macon. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 and private businesses are offering up to $800,” he said.
St. John said anyone with information on Macon can call the Crime Stoppers number 1-800-530-7151.
Macon is considered as a person of interest in an attack and robbery on Feb. 8 that sent a Columbus couple to the hospital
According to police information, the owners of the 903 11th Ave. S. residence — Jessie and Mary Gardner — walked in and noticed the back door was open and the screen door had been cut.
The victims began looking around the home to see if anything was missing. One of the victims opened a closet door and a black male was inside.
The suspect stabbed both victims and hit them with a claw hammer. They were transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle.
The suspect left the area in the victim”s vehicle, a white Ford F-150 pickup, which police located at Bell Avenue and 17th Street South. The CPD”s Criminal Investigations Division took over the investigation.
The incident was similar to one the week before, in which Macon is suspected.
In that case, a Columbus woman returned to her 613 16th Ave. S. home Thursday night — a few blocks away from today”s incident — and found Macon inside, police said.
“Macon got a knife and tried to attack the victim and then stole her purse with money and contents,” CPD Public Information Officer Terrie Songer said in a release.
CPD describes Macon, 28, as 5 feet 9 inches tall and 158 pounds. He has a tattoo on the right side of his neck with the word “Rose,” according to Songer.
Macon has been housed at the Walnut Grove Transitional Center in the Walnut Grove community in the southern part of Leake County since last November.
According to Songer, Macon was being held on charges of violation of probation and possession of cocaine.
Macon was granted a 48-hour pass by the MDOC and when he did not return, authorities issued a warrant for his arrest.
Walnut Grove Transitional Center warden Jimmy Wilcher said probationers can get a 48-hour pass every 30 days as long as they have someone who can provide transportation to bring them back. He said they receive a pass based on points they earn in their work to pay off court costs and fines.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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