Manhunt underway in home invasion case
By Elizabeth Billips Associate Editor

STAF - ELIZABETH BILIPS

Deputies are on a manhunt for the suspect in a Keysville home invasion.

Yesterday, they combed the woods off Ben Hatcher Road with the help of canines and a helicopter but were unable to turn up O'Neal "Shaq" Johnson, 32.

According to Sgt. Dedric Smith of the Burke County Sheriff's Office, Johnson allegedly kicked in the backdoor of a Taylor Road residence around 10 p.m. Monday and fired several shots inside the home.

He leveled the gun on the homeowner, 50-year-old Stephen Boyette, and took his cell phone and car keys.

He also took a female houseguest, then drove off with her in Boyette's black Honda Accord.

Sgt. Smith said he believes the woman left willingly, having found no signs of a struggle and information that they knew each other.

Although the trail went cold Monday night, deputies found their mark yesterday morning when Cpl. Joe Taylor remembered a house on Ben Hatcher Road where he arrested Johnson two years ago for selling cocaine.

When deputies pulled up, they spotted the stolen car with a group of men standing near it.

They did a "felony takedown" and learned Johnson was inside.

"We heard a ruckus inside, then saw Johnson exiting from the carport side of the house," Sgt. Smith said. "We believe he had a firearm in his hand."

After losing Johnson in the woods surrounding the house, the Richmond County Canine Unit and Georgia State Patrol helicopter were called in to help.

Around 20 officers, including those from the State Board of Pardons and Parole, scoured the woods late into the afternoon Tuesday but were unable to spot the suspect.

"He knows that area," Sgt. Smith said. "He was born and raised there."

Anyone with information about Johnson's whereabouts is asked to call investigators at 706-554- 2133.