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Banneker star faces charges; UGA adds 11th junior
By Kathy Jefcoats, Carter Strickland
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/02/07 3:55 PM

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A South Fulton County high school football star being courted by perennial power is one of four teenagers charged with a smash-and-grab burglary at a Forest Park rental center.

Darrell Simmons, 17, a rising senior who played safety and quarterback at Banneker, and the other youths are also suspects in two dozen similar robberies in metro Atlanta, said Clayton County Deputy Chief Tim Robinson.

The teenagers were arrested early Wednesday morning after throwing a rock through the window of the Rent-A-Center on Jonesboro Road, Robinson said. Police had several centers under surveillance following three rental center break-ins that same night in the county.

Also charged were Clinton Watkins, 19, and Burton Ligon, 18, both of Riverdale, and Zakevian Rowell, 19, of College Park. They are being held without bond in the Clayton County Jail on commercial burglary charges, jail records show.

Robinson said some stolen property was found inside the home of Ligon and Watkins.

Forest Park police Maj. Chris Matson said Thursday that two other youths were also charged with being a party to a crime. Robinson said a Clayton magistrate threw out those charges and the two were released from jail. However, Robinson said other charges may be brought against the two as the multi-jurisdictional investigation continues.

Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Michigan and Clemson are among the colleges that have expressed interest in Simmons.

Banneker star faces charges; UGA adds 11th junior | Football recruiting | ajc.com

Banneker High football star charged in burglary | Cop briefs | ajc.com