Third Time's the Harm for Decatur Burglary Suspect

Decatur police say a juvenile broke into three different area businesses on Saturday morning before finally being arrested.

According to police sources quoted by Decaturish, the Kroger at 720 Commerce Drive was the first store to be hit just after 1 a.m. Saturday. Roughly 20 minutes later, police received word that a burglary was in progress at Shields Grocery and Produce at 145 Sycamore St.

Police had witnesses statements describing the same suspect committing the first two burglaries, Decaturish said.

A third burglary occurred at the Square Convenience Store at 1 West Court Square, Decaturish says. Square’s burglar alarm went off when the break-in occurred, providing patrols with more information on the nascent crime spree.

An officer on patrol spotted a man which fit the description of the suspect trying to break into a locked alleyway in the 100 block of Sycamore Street. Following a foot chase, the suspect was arrested near East Ponce de Leon Avenue and East Court Square, according to Decaturish.

The suspect has been charged with attempted burglary, obstruction of an officer, possessing tools for the commission of a crime, and two counts of burglary.