Cops: Suspect surrenders in missing Ga. couple case

TELFAIR COUNTY, Ga. -- The man facing charges in connection with the case of a Georgia couple missing after embarking on a road trip has turned himself in, according to the Telfair County Sheriff's Office.

Ronnie Adrian "Jay" Towns turned himself in sometime before 11:30 Monday morning, according to a statement posted on the agency's Facebook page. The 28-year-old faces charges of giving false statements and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. He hasn't been accused of harming 69-year-old Elrey "Bud" Runion and his wife 66-year-old June Runion.

The Georgia couple is missing after driving across the state to check out a classic car advertised on Craigslist, and police say Towns last had phone contact with them.

Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson tells WMAZ-TV in Macon that Towns was interviewed, and information he provided didn't match what investigators knew of the case.

The Runions are from Marietta, just outside Atlanta. On Thursday, they drove to McRae, about three hours away in South Georgia, to meet someone who responded to Bud Runion's ad seeking a 1966 Mustang. The couple was set to buy the car from Towns, CBS This Morning reported.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says family members became concerned when the couple didn't come back or answer calls.

According to the sheriff's statement via Facebook, Towns is currently in custody.