Man, 2 juveniles charged in store burglaries

By Jean Cole
jean@athensnews-courier.com

November 12, 2008 09:54 pm

— Mother always said, be sure to change out of your work clothes.
A 16-year-old from Harvest learned that lesson the hard way Wednesday when Limestone County investigators came to question him about two early morning store burglaries and found him wearing the same outfit featured on one store’s security camera, an official said.
The burglaries occurred at USA Grocery in the 13000 block of Zahner Road and at Pitts Auto Parts in the 14000 block of Blackburn Road, said Limestone County Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Stanley McNatt.
The owner of USA Grocery discovered the burglary when he arrived at work about 5 a.m., McNatt said. Missing were two handguns, a box of change, three cartons of Newport cigarettes, eight packs of Marlboros and two packs of Camels, total value $758.
The owner of Pitts Auto Parts discovered the burglary when he opened for business at 8 a.m., McNatt said. Missing were two computers and keyboards, a 13-inch television, seven two-way radios and $25 in change, total value $1,785.
After investigating throughout the day Wednesday, Investigators Randy Burroughs, Jay Looney and Eric King arrested and charged the following with two counts of third-degree theft:
• Johnny Matthew Stewart, 27, of 13371 Buddy Drive, Athens; a17-year-old from Athens and the 16-year-old from Harvest, McNatt said.
The security camera and an observant storeowner tripped up the trio.
“There was a video camera at USA grocery, and the owner thought he recognized them and thought he could give a location where they lived,” McNatt said. “The investigators discovered the 16-year-old at a residence on Ripley Road, and he still had the clothing on that he wore to burglarize the store. They brought him to the jail and he admitted his involvement. All three admitted their involvement.”
Stewart remained in the Limestone County Jail Wednesday night with bond set at $5,000, records show. The teenagers, whose names were not released because they are juveniles, were released to the custody of parents or guardians.
Some of the stolen property was recovered.