Two teenage boys were arrested Aug. 6 and are facing charges of burglary, theft, and criminal mischief for allegedly breaking into Ollie’s Place in Jefferson earlier in the week, according to Lt. Michael Murphy of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Vickey Jones, who co-owns the store with Ralph Jones, said a burglary occurred at the store at some point between 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 when she left after closing and when she returned at 5:30 a.m. Aug. 5.
“They pushed in the air conditioner and did some damage to that by pushing it in and forcing their way in that way,” Murphy said.
Jones said cartons of cigarettes, cases of beer, cash, lighters, and three bottles of wine were taken from the store. Murphy estimated the value at about $1,500.
Deputy Ken Hatch was the lead officer on the case, and with the assistance of Deputy Kevin Dennison and K-9 Duke, they were able to locate about half of the stolen items at a location near the store, Murphy said.
“Our dog did track from the store to a nearby camp … but it was all locked up at the time,” Murphy said. “Later in the day we were able to get ahold of the owner and they opened the camp and we found what was left of the beer and cigarettes.”
As a result of the investigation, some interviews, and other information received by the sheriff’s office, the alleged crime was narrowed down to some teenagers local to Jefferson, Murphy said.
The boys, aged 16 and 17, were both arrested, charged, and later released to their parents.
Two 16-year-old girls were also issued summonses in the case for possession of alcohol by a minor, Murphy said.
Jones had offered a $500 reward in the case, and said Aug. 6 that someone did come forward with information and will receive the reward.
“The cops did a really good job, and so did my little informant – that was really good,” Jones said.
Jones said the burglary hurt particularly because she knows a parent of one of the alleged perpetrators really well, and feels bad for her.
“These kids don’t think nothing about the parents,” Jones said. “I’m not mad at her, I’m mad at the kids.”
Ollie’s Place will now be protected by an ADT security system, Jones said.
Anyone with further information on the case is encouraged to contact Hatch at 882-7332.
