Two suspects allegedly responsible for a string of burglaries that lasted for months have been identified, according to Warrenton Police Chief Greg Houdyshell. He said one of the suspects is a …
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Two suspects allegedly responsible for a string of burglaries that lasted for months have been identified, according to Warrenton Police Chief Greg Houdyshell.
He said one of the suspects is a 16-year-old male who was turned over to juvenile authorities and may be certified and tried as an adult. An adult suspect, Brandon M. Jeffries, 18, was charged Tuesday with second-degree burglary in a break-in in the 200 block of East Walton Street on July 15.
Authorities were able to attribute 19 business burglaries and four residential break-ins between May and August to the juvenile. So far, Jeffries has only been implicated in the one incident.
The juvenile suspect was apprehended Aug. 4, one day after he was accused of breaking into a home in the 100 block of Oak Street. Officers located and recovered stolen items near the suspect’s house, including a firearm and computer.
Houdyshell said it appeared the rash of burglaries fed a drug addiction.
“I’m relieved this crew has finally been located,” he said. “The problem is, this one was fueled by the heroin problem. Until the heroin problem ends, I don’t think we will see a break in this.”
The juvenile mainly focused on quick break-ins that lead to cash being stolen, but Lt. Lucas Wicks said he and other suspects began going after more items in some of the later burglary cases.
The juvenile gained entry the majority of the time by breaking a window or finding a small opening, including at least one instance where a window HVAC unit was kicked in.
Many of the businesses were located on or near more heavily-traveled city streets.
“He (the juvenile suspect) was good at finding a small chink in the armor and finding a spot out of public eye,” Houdyshell said. “He was in and out pretty quickly.”
Houdyshell commended his officers for their diligence in pursuing the suspects. Officers continue to perform surveillance of businesses in the overnight hours by checking the exterior of a building and for unlocked doors.
“The guys got out and started tracking all possible leads,” he said. “They never gave up until the last incident.”
Nonetheless, Houdyshell emphasized that residents and business owners should still keep their guard up.
“They still need to be vigilant just like they are now,” he said. “We are working together to make this a safer place to live.”
