Manhunt For Barrow County Fugitive Moves to Morgan County

By Patch Editor Stephanie Gross

Morgan County officials have taken the lead in the hunt for fugitive Kaleb Jordan Moss.

Moss has been on the run since crashing a truck in Oconee County near the Morgan County line Monday, July 29, around 4 p.m.   Multiple agencies converged on the area and have combed the woods in search of the 18-year-old Bethlehem man wanted on charges of robbery, burglary and aggravated assault.  The search continued overnight and, by late Tuesday morning, it shifted into Morgan County where a perimeter was set up between Riverwalk on the Apalachee subdivision and Rehoboth Road.

Moss is described as a light-skinned black male, 6’ 2” tall, 240 pounds, with short dark hair. He is considered armed and dangerous. 

Area residents were put on high alert. One Oconee County farmer told Patch she and her neighbors were continuously updating one another about the situation. She said she was hesitant to feed her animals knowing that the suspect was on the loose.  

Around 4:40 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, the Oconee County Sheriff's Office said there was evidence that "strongly suggests" Moss is in Morgan County and no longer is in Oconee.

"Units are assigned to the Bishop/High Shoals area to respond quickly to any additional information. Morgan Co is leading the search effort," the OCSO posted on its Facebook Page. 

The Athens Banner-Herald reports Moss has a girlfriend and some family members that live in Morgan County. 

The Barrow County Sheriff's Office Tuesday afternoon released more details about the chase that started it all.  

According to a news release, Moss was driving a stolen 1998 red Dodge Dakota pickup truck when Barrow County deputies attempted to stop him on Smith Mill Road.    Following a high speed chase into Oconee County, Moss crashed into a ditch near Price Mill and Gober Roads and then fled on foot. Barrow deputies pursued him on foot initially, but were unable to apprehend him. 

The truck, according to the release, was stolen on July 27 from Patrick's Towing at 328 Atlanta Highway S.E. A vehicle matching that description was seen in the 1400 block of Elise Drive in Bethlehem, when the residence was burglarized on July 29. 

The homeowner may have interrupted the burglary in progress when she arrived home, according to the release, but there was no confrontation with the suspect at the burglary scene.

Several firearms were taken and have not been recovered, but other items taken during the burglary were recovered from the truck Moss was driving, authorities said.

Moss is currently wanted out of Morgan County for burglary, robbery and aggravated battery and also out of Barrow County for burglary, theft by receiving, fleeing and attempting to elude and several other traffic charges.