Times Journal

Posted December 8, 2011 at 2:39 pm

Two people have been arrested by state police in New Jersey on burglary charges in connection with a break-in recently at Save-A-Lot in Russell Springs, according to Russell Springs Police Chief Joseph M. Irvin.

New Jersey law enforcement arrested Wesley Allen Taylor, 23, of Russell Springs and Heather Roberts, 19, of the Windsor Community on first degree burglary charges a week ago Friday.

The alleged incident took place in the early morning hours two weeks ago Wednesday where it was captured by a store security video just after 4:20 a.m., Irvin said, and store employees found the break-in when they arrived for work that morning.

Taylor and Roberts were identified from that security video during the police investigation.

Between $80 and $100 in cash, a .32 caliber stainless steel handgun and an undetermined amount of cigarettes were taken from the local grocery store, Irvin said.

He said the two were caught by New Jersey authorities late last Friday morning in Salem County, NJ on e-warrants obtained by the Russell Springs Police Department.

Taylor is also being charged with drug possession in New Jersey after law enforcement there found a quantity of suspected heroin on him at the time of his arrest.

Both were also charged there with receiving stolen property due to the RSPD’s NCIC inquiry as well as with being a fugitive from another state.

“The NCIC system we have at dispatch is what is instrumental in accomplishing something like this,” Irvin said.

“Otherwise they would just fade into nowhere land. It is pretty amazing when you think about it.”

Irvin said Taylor was a product of the newly instituted “rocket docket” after previously being arrested on manufacturing meth charges.

The Save-A-Lot break-in is being investigated by Officer Matt Parrish and other members of the Russell Springs Police Department, Irvin said.

He said Roberts would be brought back to Kentucky to face charges soon, while Taylor may be brought back as well, depending upon if state police there hold him on the possession of heroin charges.

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Three were arrested last Wednesday in connection with the theft of various items from the property of Haven “Buck” Coffey in the French Valley Community on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.

Amber Reese, 21, of Columbia; Jeffrey Helton, 20, of Jamestown; and Dustin Norton, 22, of Russell Springs were apprehended on Wednesday as sheriff’s deputy David Cain and Jamestown Police Chief Derek Polston were investigating whether the metal had been sold at Cannonball’s Recycling.

As the officers investigated, the three suspects were spotted in a truck driving past the establishment. They were then stopped by Cain on Moore’s Schoolhouse Road.

The truck contained further metal items. Coffey arrived at the vehicle and identified the items as his own. Allegedly the three had made another trip to the Coffey property as the theft from the night before was being investigated.

The three are being charged with receiving stolen property.

Copper, cast iron, old plows and numerous other items likely stolen for their value in metal were recovered.

Investigation into the case continues. The three may face further charges in the future as investigation of other local thefts continue.

Also, more arrests are likely, according to authorities.