By Shuanita Weathersby, JCSD public relations
March 24, 2009 10:41 am
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Jones County Deputies have four suspects in custody for commercial burglary in two separate incidents that occurred over the weekend.
“Deputies were successful in solving two unrelated burglary cases beginning on March 22 shortly after 4 p.m. when deputies were dispatched to Connie’s Video Store in reference to an alarm. Shortly thereafter, deputies discovered that a white male suspect had been cited running from the store with ‘something in his hands,’” Sheriff Alex Hodge said.
After a short foot pursuit, deputies were successful in taking into custody Dustin Ray Gibson, 28, of the 200 block of Mitcheal Street in Sandersville.
“Gibson allegedly made entry through the front of the store where a glass had been broken,” Hodge said. “A cash register containing an undisclosed amount of currency was taken from the store which was later recovered in the parking lot of the business.”
After further investigation, deputies found that Gibson was also wanted by the Bargersville, Ind., Police Department on prior charges.
Gibson was arrested by Jones County deputies for commercial burglary and booked in the Jones County Adult Detention Center where he is awaiting extradition to Indiana.
In a separate burglary incident on March 20 shortly after 11 p.m., deputies were dispatched to Carson’s Line Service in the Glade Community regarding a burglary in progress.
“Witnesses allegedly heard glass breaking at the business, voices on the inside, and the alarm sounding off briefly. Witnesses also cited a Nissan Maxima had left the area heading east bound on Lower Myrick,” Hodge said.
Shortly thereafter, deputies were able to locate the vehicle on Lower Myrick Road where a pursuit ensued traveling down Triangle Drive, Dummy Line Road, and ending on Highway 15 South near Mt. Vernon Methodist Church.
Michael Bazor, 18, of the 400 block of Old Hwy 15 South and Caleb Morris, 18, of the 400 block of Antioch Drive were taken into custody. They were arrested without incident and charged for commercial burglary.
A third suspect, Kasie J. Early, 19, of the 400 block of Antioch Dr., was arrested and charged for accessory after the fact.
They each remain in custody at the Jones County Adult Detention Center.
According to the American Security Educators, Inc., Hodge said, the following tips may be helpful in protecting your business against burglary:
• Store doors: Front store doors should be clear and visible and made of burglary resistant glass that provides protection against forced breaking and cutting. Your store front door should be part of the perimeter protection system of your store’s burglar alarm system.
• Display windows: Display windows should be in good condition and framed in solid tight resistant glass. They should be visible from the outside so observation can be made of the interior of the store. Large display signs should not obscure the window(s) visibility.
• Front Store windows: Front store windows should be as visible as possible and not contain any large signs or obstructions of the windows view. If possible arrange your store so the cash register and safe are visible from the outside front store window. All windows should be included as part of your alarm system.
• Store location: The business address should be on the front of your location and in sizable letters and numbers so that it can be easily observed from the street.
• Alarm system: All business locations should be equipped with a good burglar alarm system that has all possible points of entry covered with perimeter and/or point protection.
• Rear windows: Should always be locked both during and after business hours.
• Rear doors: Should be made of steel or solid core wood and hinged-in with non-removable hinges that are “pin-in.”
• Landscaping: Make sure all shrubs, landscaping, trees or other obstructions are trimmed away to assure adequate visibility.
• Cash register: The cash register should be anchored down and left open during closing hours. Keeping the cash register open will prevent a burglar from damaging the cash register in his effort to force it open.
• Office equipment: All office equipment should be anchored down, serial numbers recorded, the company’s name marked on the equipment, and, where feasible locked up during closing or times when not in use.
“These tips are designed to help owners prevent, detect and deter crimes against their businesses. It is my hope that with the cooperative efforts of the community and local law enforcement agencies; criminals will think twice before burglarizing a business,” Hodge said.
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