THOMASVILLE — A teen charged with numerous counts of stolen firearms and on house arrest is back in custody after violating terms of his release.

The 16-year-old was released from custody early last week, placed on house arrest and ordered to wear an ankle monitor.

On Friday morning, a Thomasville police officer on patrol saw the teen at the intersection of Stevens and Green streets, said Sgt. Scott Newberry, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division assistant commander.

“He saw a juvenile walking down Green Street, and he saw that he had an ankle monitor on,” Newberry said.

The patrol officer realized the juvenile was one of nine local people charged in the April burglary at a Tallahassee sporting goods store. The youth is charged with 44 counts of stealing firearms in the case.

Newberry said the teen was housed at the Thomas County Jail for two hours until arrangements were made to return him to juvenile custody. The suspect is being held at the Loftiss Regional Youth Detention Center in Thomasville.

The teen, a Crystal Street resident, was a little more than a block from home when he was picked up.

The suspect was walking to the 1 O’Clock Store, said Capt. Tim Watkins, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office chief investigator.

Thomas County Juvenile Court Judge Stephen Andrews ordered the teen returned to custody until a June 23 hearing.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820