Brooklet police arrested a man on Thursday who is suspected in at least four burglary attempts at local pharmacies last weekend.
After recognizing the suspect from photographs issued in a lookout earlier this week by the Statesboro Police Department, which also issued warrants for the suspect, Brooklet police Officer John Baker took Rodney Jason Hall, 50, of Park Place Apartments in Statesboro, into custody shortly before noon, said Brooklet police Chief Max Meyer. Hall was walking down a street in Brooklet when Baker apprehended him, Meyer said.
Hall was arrested on Statesboro police warrants, as he is suspected in the burglary attempts at Southern Pharmacy, McCook's Pharmacy and Riggs Pharmacy, all in Statesboro.
Brooklet police also have charged Hall with criminal attempt at burglary and possession of tools in the commission of a crime in the attempted burglary of Brooklet Drug in Brooklet (owned by Walker Pharmacy).
One other attempted burglary, at Forest Heights Pharmacy near Statesboro, remains under investigation, according to Bulloch County sheriff’s chief Deputy Jared Akins.
Sometime on Saturday or Sunday, when the stores were not open, someone disconnected the power supply and security alarms at all five pharmacies, according to reports.
At Forest Heights Pharmacy, located outside Statesboro's city limits, the utility box was disconnected and removed, Akins said.
Meyer said officers performing building checks over the weekend discovered exterior damage to Brooklet Drug but found that the person responsible did not gain entry. The store's alarm system was disabled because the power had been cut off, he said.
Statesboro police Maj. Rob Bryan, interim chief, said the power was cut in the three Statesboro incidents as well. None of the buildings were entered, and nothing was reported stolen.
Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call the Statesboro Police Department at (912) 764-9911, the Brooklet Police Department at (912) 842-9911 or the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office at (912) 764-8888.
Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.