Roanoke Co. Police believe string of break-ins linked

Roanoke Co. Police believe string of break-ins linked (Image 1) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

ROANOKE COUNTY (WSLS 10) - Roanoke County Police are operating under the assumption that a recent string of break-ins are connected.

Since May 7, police have responded to 12 burglaries at local businesses. While the majority have been in Roanoke County, at least one business in Roanoke City, Bedford County, Botetourt County and Montgomery County has been impacted.

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The Sunoco on Challenger Road in Roanoke County became the latest victim Wednesday morning.

All of the break-ins have happened between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. and have lasted only three to four minutes.

Roanoke Co. Police released surveillance video showing a man breaking into the Clearbrook Mini Mart on May 17. Police believe it shows one of the two suspects seen on surveillance from other break-ins.

The suspects busted the register, stealing loose cash and cigarettes.

"They usually do it the same way each time. They commit the burglary because it's something they know," said Roanoke Co. Police Commander David McMillan. "It's something they know that works for them."

The Plantation Market on Plantation Road in Roanoke County was burglarized in the early morning hours of May 10, on Mother's Day. Myint works at the convenient store her daughter owns.

"I saw the window and somebody had (broken) it," Than described after seeing the initial damage. "It's been very frustrating."

In all, three windows were broken at the Plantation Market. Less than two weeks later, they've all been replaced.

While concerned with the growing number of break-ins, McMillan is confident the two suspects will be behind bars before long.

"The more break-ins that occur the more information we start collecting," he said. "I'm pretty confident."

Investigators are looking for a red older model Ford Explorer. Anyone with information is asked to call the Roanoke County Police Department.