Center Point Man Charged With Burglary

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A 31-year-old Center Point man has been arrested and charged with the burglary of an auto body shop.

On July 27, deputies were called to an auto body shop in the 20th block of 20th Court NW to investigate a burglary. It was reported that during the previous night someone had broken into the business and stolen laptop computers. The surveillance system in the business captured images of the suspect as he was committing the burglary.

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A description of the suspect was provided to deputies working in the area. On July 30, a deputy spotted a man matching the description of the suspect walking in the 2000 block of Center Point Parkway. The man was carrying a laptop of the type that had been reported stolen. The deputy stopped the man and identified the laptop as one that had been stolen during the burglary.

The suspect, 31-year-old Derrick Gardiner, was questioned by detectives and admitted to burglarizing the business. He was arrested and taken to the Jefferson County Jail to await formal charges.

On July 31, detectives obtained arrest warrants charging him with Burglary 3rd Degree, Theft of Property 2nd Degree, and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree. He posted $10,300 bond and was released pending court proceedings.

Photo via Jefferson County Sheriff's Office