Earlier this month, West Point Police responded to a house on a burglary incident and uncovered a lot more than a routine break-in.
"On June 14, 2022, at approximately 11:41 a.m. officers responded to 1215 E 14th Street in reference to a home invasion. The female victim told officers that someone entered her home, pointed a gun at her, and took $100 dollars from her and a jar of marijuana. The victim described the suspect as a black female, approximately 5ft. 8in., wearing a nose ring, wearing black pants, and a black hoodie. Upon further investigation, the female suspect was identified as Samantha Ann Cherry (22), who was initially going to the home of 1215 E 14th Street to purchase marijuana. Cherry was arrested and charged with Home Invasion (16-7-5), Burglary (16-7-1), Aggravated Assault (16-5-21), Armed Robbery (16-8-41), and Possession of Firearm Convicted Felon (16-11-131).
After further investigation into video surveillance, the footage identifies Samantha Cherry, and a black male walking into 1102 Avenue L West Point, Ga with a jar of marijuana after the home invasion. While the victim was speaking with officers, Maurice Winston can be seen approaching the police patrol car where a black male was seated, and he can be seen making threatening gestures towards him, slicing his throat with his hand while saying, “you are dead”. At approximately 2:19 p.m., Maurice Winston went inside the residence of 1102 Avenue L, West Point, Ga., and took back the jar of marijuana that was previously stolen.
On June 15, 2022. at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers responded to 1102 Avenue L in reference to shots being fired into the home. Officers arrived on the scene and discovered that 9 people were inside the residence including infant children. Investigators arrived on the scene and were able to locate 20 9mm shell casings in the roadway in front of the residence.
On June 27, 2022, at approximately 2:15 a.m., officers responded to 1102 Avenue L in reference to shots being fired into the home. Officers arrived on the scene and discovered that 7 people were inside the residence during the shooting. There were also 5 .22 caliber rounds found at the scene as well.
On June 28, 2022, officers attempted to conduct a vehicle traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by Maurice Winston. Winston was operating the vehicle with a suspended license, and when officers initiated the police lights and sirens, Maurice Winston jumped out of the vehicle and proceeded to run on foot. Winston was apprehended near E 8th Street and taken into custody. A search warrant was executed at 1215 E 14th Street where evidence was recovered that led to charges against Maurice Winston", said West Point Police in a Press Release.
Maurice Winston is charged with 1 count of Terroristic Threats (16-11-37), 1 count of Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer (16-10-24), and 1 count of Driving without a valid license (40-5-20(A)), 1 count of Possession of Marijuana less than 1oz. (16-13-2), 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (16-11-13), and 16 counts of Aggravated Assault (16-5-21). Tavis Jamal James is wanted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (16-11-13).
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Kristin King at 706-645-3548.
