Fugitive accused of nine Georgia robberies arrested in Mississippi

ATLANTA — Less than 2 1/2 hours after federal law enforcement officials offered a $5,000 reward for the arrest John Arthur Morris, a convicted felon suspected of being involved in 11 commercial armed robberies, including nine in Georgia, he was arrested in Mississippi, the FBI reported Tuesday.

Kevin Rowson, public affairs specialist with the FBI in Atlanta, said shortly before 5 p.m. that the 47-year-old Morris had been arrested wihtout incident in a traffic stop.

Around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, FBI officials had announced the reward for Morris, who is accused of being a serial armed robber. FBI officials allege that he has robbed nine businesses in Columbus, along with one each in Phenix City, Ala., and in Kissammee, Fla.

The businesses include auto parts and supply stores and a restaurant.

The FBI news release said that in each robbery, Morris was armed with a handgun that he pointed at victims. On many occasions, officials said, Morris forced victims at gunpoint to a back room or office and used zip ties or telephone cords to bind them. In the restaurant armed robbery, he allegedly abducted the manager at gunpoint and forced her to drive him a few blocks away from the restaurant in her vehicle, the FBI said.

A Georgia felony arrest warrant was issued July 11 based on the May 13 armed robbery of an automotive parts store in Columbus. Also in July, the Phenix City Police Department issued a felony arrest warrant for Morris for the July 10 armed robbery of an automotive supply business in that area. On Aug. 14, Morris allegedly robbed an automotive supply store in Kissimmee.

A federal arrest warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued Thursday for Morris by the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia in Columbus. FBI officials said Morris was to be considered to be armed and dangerous.