TPD arrests three; closes theft cases

Staff

Published Sunday, August 27, 2000

Staff Writer

Aug. 26, 2000 10 PM

Quick response by officers of the Troy Police Department resulted in the arrests of three individuals and the closing of several burglaries.

At approximately 2:15 a.m. Thursday, officers responded to a burglar alarm activation at Spurlock Iron and Metal on U.S. 231 in Troy. When the third shift officers arrived, they observed two suspects still inside the building, said Chief Anthony Everage.

One of the suspects fled the business on foot into a wooded area and the second individual was taken into custody as he was attempting to leave the building. A third suspect was found sitting in a car at the business and was taken into TPD custody, also.

The suspect who fled the scene, later surrendered to police.

Two of the subjects are 15 and 17-year-old juveniles and the third is an adult identified as Michael Shawn Jerles, 18. All three are from Troy and have been charged with burglary, third degree.

Subsequent investigations revealed Jerles and the two juveniles may be responsible for at least three additional burglaries in Troy, one at the Banks Buy Rite and two in Coffee County.

Those businesses burglarized in Troy are Kelly's Food Mart on U.S. 231 North, the NAPA Auto Parts store on South Brundidge Street and Battery Specialist on the Henderson Highway.

"Incidents of this nature should remind us crime occurs 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Everage said.

"Our objective is to identify and apprehend suspects committing these crimes."

Only Jerles and one of the juveniles have been charged with the burglary of Battery Specialist, which occurred on or about Aug. 21.

Jerles has been charged with four counts of burglary, third degree, in Troy and was jailed under a $5,000 bond on each of the four counts. One of the juveniles has also been charged with four counts of burglary, third degree and the other juvenile has been charged with three counts of burglary, third degree.

Through police presence and patrol, Everage believes crime will be deterred, if not prevented.

Another key in capturing criminals, Everage said, is quick response by police officers. He pointed out the alarm at Spurlock Iron and Metal was activated at 2:14 a.m. and officers arrived at 2:18 a.m.

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