Auburn, Ala. - On Feb. 21, 2024, Auburn Police arrested Damien Dean Waller, age 30, and Cedric Antonio Paige Jr., age 24, both from Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Waller was arrested on warrants charging him with three counts of unlawfully breaking and entering into a vehicle, two counts of trafficking in stolen identities, four counts of fraudulent use of a debit/credit card, two counts of theft of property third degree, possession of burglary tools, felony attempting to elude and theft of property fourth degree.

Paige Jr. was arrested on warrants charging him with three counts of unlawfully breaking and entering into a vehicle, two counts of trafficking in stolen identities, five counts of fraudulent use of a debit/credit card, two counts of theft of property third degree, possession of burglary tools, and theft of property fourth degree.

The arrest stems from Auburn Police receiving multiple auto burglary reports that occurred near the 2300 block of Wire Road, on Feb. 21, between 6 pm and 7 pm.  Auburn patrol and detective units mobilized to search for the suspect vehicle based on a description provided by a witness.

Auburn Police located the suspect vehicle near the 1700 block of South College Street. Police observed a subject that appeared to be concealing his identity exit a nearby business and enter the suspect vehicle. Auburn Police units pursued the suspect vehicle as it exited a parking lot onto South College Street at a high rate of speed.

The pursuit continued as the suspect vehicle turned on the northbound entrance on I-85. Opelika Police Department units joined to assist in the pursuit as the suspect vehicle entered Opelika on I-85. The suspect vehicle continued to travel at a high rate of speed until it crashed, striking one uninvolved vehicle near exit 62. No one was injured as a resulted of the crash.

The suspects exited the disabled vehicle, and officers continued the pursuit on foot. Police apprehended Waller and Paige Jr., and both were detained.

Waller and Paige Jr. were arrested for the charges connected to the auto burglaries and additional charges that were developed during the investigation. Waller ($87,000 bond) and Paige Jr. ($83,500 bond) were transported to the Lee County Jail.

Damien Dean Waller

Cedric Antonio Paige Jr.

All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.