Armed neighbors help catch man who police say committed violent crimes across 4 counties

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - Police called him armed and dangerous.  Cherokee County Investigators say Jacob Henson had been on the run for weeks, committing crimes across four counties.  His crime spree finally came to an end when he met up against some armed neighbors who weren't about to let him get away. 

"If you're wanted by police this is the wrong part to be coming around," said one woman who confronted Henson.

Cherokee County Sheriff's Officials say for three weeks Henson had been committing crimes across Cherokee and neighboring counties. 

"Vehicle thefts to 4-wheeler thefts, pointing weapons at people, burglaries, assaults, police chases.  It's been going on in Cherokee, as well as Pickens, Bartow and Dawson Counties," said Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Director Jay Baker.

Early Tuesday morning investigators say Henson was spotted on Little Refuge Road in Waleska.  Deputies blocked off the road and waited him out.  Ten hours later, they spotted Henson riding a stolen motorcycle.  Investigators say while they were chasing Henson, he crashed the motorcycle and took off running and ran toward a woman's home.  The woman says he tried to hide in her carport and she grabbed her gun. 

"I told him to get on the ground. He ran and I ran after him firing my gun in the air," said the woman.

She says her neighbors heard the gunshots and got their own guns.  Deputies say when Henson ran into the next yard he was confronted by two men, both with weapons.  

"They fired a round in the ground in front of him, another neighbor came up with a gun and held him at bay," said Dir. Baker.

Investigators say the men got Henson on the ground and held him there until deputies arrived.  He is now in the Cherokee County jail.  He currently has 24 charges against him in Cherokee and many more in other counties.