One arrested for grand theft

On Tuesday, July 27, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office began searching for a subject that had fled into a wooded on a stolen ATV near Hwy 73 North and Missouri Road. The subject was identified as Larry Leitzel Jr. An extensive search was conducted with canine units and the JCSO air unit but Officers were unable to locate Leitzel at that time.

A search warrant was obtained for Leitzels residence located at 3025 State Correctional Road in Marianna. Chemicals associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine along with other stolen property were discovered in the residence.

On Friday, July 30, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Investigators with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received information that Larry Leitzel was staying at an apartment in Cedar Creek Apartments in Cottondale. At approximately 9:30 p.m. Investigators with the JCSO along with Officers with the Cottondale Police Department made contact with the occupants at the apartment and obtained permission to search the residence. Officers located Leitzel hiding behind a closet door in the bedroom of the apartment. Leitzel was taken into custody without incident.

Leitzel was arrested for grand theft of the ATV. Several additional charges are forthcoming. Leitzel has an extensive criminal history including 27 prior felony charges and 10 misdemeanors charges. Some of these prior arrests include numerous burglaries, drug possession, weapons possessions, aggravated battery and resisting arrest with violence.