BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Federal authorities have arrested a Montevallo man they believe may have stolen more than 100 newspaper boxes in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area this month.
A U.S. Marshal Service federal fugitive task force arrested 44-year-old Chris Ballard this afternoon. Marty Keely, U.S. marshal for the Northern District of Alabama, says authorities caught up with him outside of Centreville in Bibb County after a brief chase involving officers from six jurisdictions and a Tuscaloosa police helicopter.
Ballard, who had an outstanding warrant for theft of a newspaper box in Birmingham, fled down U.S. 11 when police attempted to stop him.
He’s believed to be linked to the theft of boxes in Anniston, Oxford and Tuscaloosa, police said.