A man police said burglarized a local elementary school was caught when he returned to the crime scene to collect the loot.
James Thomas Jr., 33, Morris Street, was charged with burglary after Julia P. Bryant Elementary School Principal Shawn Haralson, who is also a Brooklet Police officer, spotted him cruising past the school in a suspicious manner Saturday, said Statesboro Police Maj. J. R. Holloway.
Statesboro Police Sgt. Kaleb Moore and Officer Craig Coleman had responded to the school earlier Saturday, along with Det. Ken Scott, in response to the school having been burglarized, he said.
“The investigation revealed someone had forced entry into the school and had stashed bags of stolen items around the outside of the school to be picked up at a later time,” he said.
But when Haralson showed up later that morning, he noticed Thomas “driving around the back of the school very slowly,” Holloway said. “When he attempted to stop the vehicle, (Thomas) sped away ...”
Police issued a lookout and another officer spotted Thomas’ car on Garfield Street and stopped him, but Thomas exited and tried fleeing on foot, he said.
The officer, Advanced Patrol Officer Jeff Thompson, caught Thomas and took him into custody, while Scot “ located evidence that linked Thomas o the burglary,” he said.
Officers charged Thomas with burglary, driving with a suspended license, fleeing and attempt to elude, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime, he said.
Thomas was taken to the Bulloch County Jail where he awaits further court action, he said. “Anyone with information (regarding the burglary) is asked to contact the Statesboro Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (912) 764-1542. All information provided will be held in strict confidence.”
James Thomas Jr., 33, Morris Street, was charged with burglary after Julia P. Bryant Elementary School Principal Shawn Haralson, who is also a Brooklet Police officer, spotted him cruising past the school in a suspicious manner Saturday, said Statesboro Police Maj. J. R. Holloway.
Statesboro Police Sgt. Kaleb Moore and Officer Craig Coleman had responded to the school earlier Saturday, along with Det. Ken Scott, in response to the school having been burglarized, he said.
“The investigation revealed someone had forced entry into the school and had stashed bags of stolen items around the outside of the school to be picked up at a later time,” he said.
But when Haralson showed up later that morning, he noticed Thomas “driving around the back of the school very slowly,” Holloway said. “When he attempted to stop the vehicle, (Thomas) sped away ...”
Police issued a lookout and another officer spotted Thomas’ car on Garfield Street and stopped him, but Thomas exited and tried fleeing on foot, he said.
The officer, Advanced Patrol Officer Jeff Thompson, caught Thomas and took him into custody, while Scot “ located evidence that linked Thomas o the burglary,” he said.
Officers charged Thomas with burglary, driving with a suspended license, fleeing and attempt to elude, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime, he said.
Thomas was taken to the Bulloch County Jail where he awaits further court action, he said. “Anyone with information (regarding the burglary) is asked to contact the Statesboro Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (912) 764-1542. All information provided will be held in strict confidence.”