A man accused of breaking into a Hosford home, then forcing his estranged wife and child into a truck, has ben arrested, along with his alleged partner in the crime.
Conley Richard Burke, 26, has been charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, domestic battery, burglary of a dwelling while armed and child abuse. Freddie Odell Burke, 25, is being charged as a principle in the first degree to all of the same charges. A spokesperson for the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the two men are related, but was unsure if they are brothers or cousins.
According to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, a man told authorities Conley Burke entered his house through a window Saturday night, then pulled a knife, threatening to kill him. Conley’s wife, who reportedly now resides in the home, was allegedly grabbed by her hair and dragged out of the man’s house. The homeowner said he jumped out a window and ran to a neighbor’s house to call authorities.
The man said Conley was headed northbound on SR 65 in a green Chevy truck. The couple’s daughter was reportedly in the vehicle. He further stated that Freddie Burke was behind the wheel and suspected they were bound for Freddie’s house.
Sgt. Jamie Shiver and Lt. Geiger went to Freddie’s house, but Freddie reportedly denied knowing where Conley and his wife were, remarking Conley dropped him off, then he and his wife left in his truck.
LCSO began searching for the vehicle and Dep. Gentry soon spotted it around 10:30 p.m. and initiated a traffic stop. The woman and her child were safely recovered. During questioning at the Sheriff’s Office, the woman said she was taking a shower when Conley burst into the bathroom and jumped on her boyfriend. She alleged Conley grabbed her hair and dragged her to his truck.
The woman said, during the drive, Conley struck her several times in the face. Although she kicked and screamed, she said Freddie held her legs and told her to stop kicking, allowing Conley to continue striking her. She further stated Freddie got out at his home, but Conley took her to Sunshine State Cypress Mill where he allegedly struck her several more times in the face and body, allegedly threatening to kill her. The woman said when they left, traveling south on Hwy. 65, the deputy pulled them over and Conley jumped from the vehicle, running away.
The couple’s daughter was reportedly in the back seat of the vehicle.
Conley turned himself in at the LCSO Monday, alleging he heard his estranged wife and her boyfriend were cooking meth in the home and he was concerned for his daughter.
