A 28-year-old Center Point man went on a crime spree over the weekend, carrying out home invasions in separate Jefferson County cities, authorities say.

In one of attacks, police said, he beat, bound and fired a shot at an elderly man. The victim wasn't wounded by the gunfire but was hit in the head with the shotgun.

Edwin Gabriel Hosea Conley has been charged with multiple crimes by Irondale police, Fultondale police and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. He is also facing charges in other crimes, including two Birmingham break-ins.

The attack in Irondale happened at 12:20 p.m. Saturday in the 4000 block of Nichole Drive. Police say the intruder - later identified as Conley - was brandishing a shotgun when he kicked open the basement door. He confronted the homeowner, a 52-year-old woman, who was home alone at the time, said Irondale police Det. Sgt. Michael Mangina. "He said, 'Where is the safe? Give me the money,''' Mangina said.

The victim as able to run out of the house and sought help at a neighbor's home. Conley fled with the victim's purse, and witnesses told police they saw him leave in a gray Chevrolet Tahoe.

About six hours later, authorities say, Conley struck again, this time in Fultondale. Police Chief D.P. Smith said the 81-year-old male victim was at his home in the 2400 block of Walker Chapel Road. His adult son was also there.

The suspect kicked open the back door and burst inside. The intruder - also believed to be Conley - fired a shot at the victim with a shotgun, beat him with the gun and tied him up. He demanded the victim's wallet and other items in the home and then fled.

The victim was taken to the hospital and is now recovering at home. "He's a very strong individual mentally and physically,'' Smith said previously. "We're glad he wasn't hurt worse than he was."

Prior to that break-in, Smith said Conley broke into a home next door to the elderly man but no one was home. At that home, the chief said, Conley shot a dog. As of Tuesday, the dog was still recovering.

Late this afternoon, Fultondale obtained the following warrants against Conley: two counts of first-degree robbery; three counts of burglary; two counts of kidnapping and misdemeanor charge of cruelty to an animal. His bond in the Fultondale charges totals $800,000.

"There was only one person involved in these crimes and we're certain we've got him,'' Smith said.

Conley was taken into custody apparently as he fled the scene. Jefferson County sheriff's deputies about 7 p.m. responded to a report of a single vehicle accident at the intersection of Main Street and Third Avenue S.W. in Graysville, said Chief Deputy Randy Christian.

They arrived to find a gray Chevrolet Tahoe had left the road and struck a billboard. The driver was checked by paramedics and found to be uninjured.

Edwin Gabriel Hosea Conley was arrested after this gray Chevrolet Tahoe struck a billboard in downtown Graysville on Saturday night. He was later charged with multiple crimes in Irondale, Fultondale and Jefferson County. (Photo courtesy Debbie Alexander)

As deputies began their investigation of the accident, Christian said they found several televisions, a shotgun, checks from several account holders and money scattered about the interior of the SUV. The driver simply said, "That ain't all my stuff in the back of the car."

Deputies called the telephone numbers listed on the checks and learned they had been taken during a burglary in Birmingham. They also discovered a wallet and credit cards belonging to an Irondale resident. A call to Irondale police, he said, confirmed that the wallet had been stolen during a burglary in their city.

Conley admitted to deputies that he knew the items were stolen, but said he had gotten them from a friend to take to a pawn shop to sell. Deputies arrested Conley and put him into the patrol car. At that point, Christian said, Conley "began cussing and kicking the window." The window and door were damaged.

Deputies charged Conley with first-degree receiving stolen property, disorderly conduct, illegal possession of prescription drugs, third-degree criminal mischief, and driving without insurance. He posted bond on those crimes and was released.

While at the magistrate's office obtaining warrants for the charges on Conley, a deputy overheard a Fultondale detective talking about a burglary that had occurred in their city limits. The detective said the suspect was driving a gray Tahoe and had taken two televisions, a shotgun and had shot the victim's dog during the burglary.

The deputy spoke with the Fultondale detective and exchanged information about his case with him. They realized Conley was a suspect in all of the cases, and he was re-arrested on Monday.

Conley's bonds in Irondale are set at $300,000 on the charges of first-degree burglary and robbery. Birmingham police said they are investigation two burglaries possibly linked to Conley that happened in the city on Saturday.

Authorities don't yet know how the suspect chose his victims, and court records don't reflect any previous criminal arrests for Conley as an adult.

"Thanks to the deputy and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, this dangerous thug was taken off the streets,'' Mangina said. "He worked the traffic crash and happened to see, in plain view, the stolen property that was loaded up in his SUV."

"Great police work, and attentive victims and witnesses, have contributed to a solid case against this bad guy,'' Mangina said.

Updated at 5:33 p.m. to include formal warrants by Fultondale police.