Rock Hill Burglar Arrested After Multiple Break-Ins
Bold Break-Ins Caught on Camera; Suspect Arrested
A 66-year-old man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of burglary following a pair of bold break-ins in Rock Hill recently. The suspect, identified as Robert Jones Jr., allegedly targeted two businesses on East White Street and West Main Street in the early hours of a day last week.
Burglary at The Mercantile
According to authorities, police received a call around 1 a.m. last Thursday, stating that the doors of The Mercantile on 153 East White Street had been shattered. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered the front door broken by a brick, allowing entry into the premises. Surveillance footage revealed the suspect, a black man wearing khaki pants, a yellow jacket, and white shoes, flinging the brick through the glass. An extensive search of the area was carried out but officers were unable to locate the suspect in the immediate aftermath.
Second Robbery at Two Scoops Ice Cream Shop
Later that morning, around 5:30 a.m., police were alerted to another break-in, this time at the Two Scoops ice cream shop on 161 West Main Street. At the scene, similar to the previous burglary, officers found the front door shattered. Video footage from security cameras again depicted a man, greatly resembling the first suspect, committing the crime. Notably, the jacket worn by the suspect was different than the one seen in the earlier burglary.
Suspect Apprehended
Throughout the day, officers continued to patrol the downtown area intensively. During one such routine check, an officer noticed a male fitting the suspect’s description on East Main Street. A field interview was subsequently conducted with the male. Following a preliminary investigation, it was soon determined that the man was indeed the burglar in question.
Suspect Charged
Consequently, Robert Jones Jr was arrested and charged with two counts of burglary – one for each break-in. The arrest serves as a significant breakthrough in a case that had initially left authorities puzzled, given the audacious nature of the crimes and the elusive suspect.
This case demonstrates the valuable role of technology, particularly surveillance systems, in aiding law enforcement in their duties to protect and serve.
