Cedartown Police last week were able to track down a suspect within hours of an overnight car and house break-in, finding firearms stolen from the same neighborhood on his person according to officials.

Little Willie McCain, 38, of a Rome address, was arrested on multiple charges after one of the items he stole was found in a dumpster at the A-1 Motel on North Main Street hours after the incident occurred.

Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome said their investigation into the break-ins came after the resident of one home he entered woke up the following morning to find evidence of someone in the house overnight while they slept. They checked their car and found the suspect – later identified as McCain – used the house keys found inside their car to open the door and get in.

McCain took a purse that police found in the dumpster at the motel, and cash that was meant for bank deposits.

Amid the investigation into the break-in – which Newsome said began immediately with officers from the patrol division and criminal investigation division taking part – they learned of a second incident where a car was broken into just down the street from the burglary scene.

Once officers found the purse just before his arrest at 11:30 a.m., it turned out McCain was staying at the A-1 and was interested in why police were looking through the trash. He came out of his room to find out what was going on, and one officer recognized McCain and began questioning him.

Police learned McCain had a warrant for his arrest and took him into custody. While searching his belongings, they found two firearms that were also reported stolen from the same neighborhood as the burglary incident.

McCain was charged with felonies for entering an automobile or other motor vehicle with intent to commit theft or felony, first degree burglary, theft by taking, possession of a firearm by convicted felon or first offender, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, theft by receiving stolen property, a probation violation charge, and misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass, loitering or prowling, and possession of marijuana less than an ounce.

McCain remains behind bars at the Polk County Jail with bond denied on felony and misdemeanor charges.