Suspects fire at Odenville resident who attempted to

interrupt auto theft

Lock your car doors, no matter where you park.

That’s the message authorities are sending after some St. Clair County residents along the I-59 corridor were the victims of burglary last weekend. A rash of vehicle break-ins stretched from Argo to Odenville and ended in a shooting outside a residence.

Odenville Chief of Police Adam Pardue said on Saturday, Nov. 28, that a non homeowner on Poplar Drive opened his door at approximately 1 a.m. and witnessed suspects attempting to steal his car.

“He confronted them,” Pardue said, “And when he did, they opened fire on him.”

Pardue said the Odenville Police Department is investigating the incident in conjunction with the Argo Police Department and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office. He said the shooting has been linked to other vehicle burglaries in the area, and authorities are pursing leads that point to Birmingham.

“It’s not our people that are doing this thieving,” Pardue said. “Everybody here lives in a good neighborhood. This is people who want to get off the interstate and interrupt our lives.”

Pardue advised that residents lock their doors at all times, as he suspected that those responsible for the burglaries are patrolling neighborhoods on foot and pulling handles. Because they don’t want to draw attention to themselves, Pardue said the suspects are unlikely to break windows.

“Nine out of 10 times if they pull on a handle and the door is locked, they move on,” he said.

The incidents are under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Central Dispatch at dispatch at (205) 467-3333.