Police ask for help in identifying burglary suspect
Published 6:32 pm Monday, July 22, 2013
The Troy Police Department is asking for help in identifying a suspect captured on surveillance video at the scene of a burglary.
On July 2, an unknown black male is believed to have taken items from a vehicle at the Kangaroo Gas station on U.S. Highway 231 in Troy.
According to TPD Lt. Bryan Weed, the victims were traveling from Georgia and had stopped for gas.
Anyone who recognizes the person in the surveillance images is asked to call police at 566-0500, or CrimeStoppers at (334) 215-STOP.
The release of the images Monday came in conjunction with TPD’s announcement of a partnership with Central Alabama CrimeStoppers.
“Troy is a growing community. We have a lot of people who are transient and who move though Troy to Montgomery and Dothan,” Weed said, noting that some recent arrests in Troy have been from the Montgomery area.
TPD hopes that releasing information to CrimeStoppers will expand the department’s reach and allow people in other communities a chance to identify criminals.
“Crime knows no bounds,” said Susan Moss, director of Central Alabama CrimeStoppers. “These criminals are running up and down the highways and interstates.”
Moss noted that community involvement is instrumental in solving some crimes.
“Police can’t be everywhere, all the time, so community members must help” Moss said, adding that CrimeStoppers tips via phone, text and smartphone applications are anonymous and involve cash rewards.
“It’s huge for the public to be involved,” said Troy Police Chief Jimmy Ennis, sharing that two recent burglaries were solved because Troy residents called in information about the crimes. “We think this partnership is going to be beneficial.”
CrimeStoppers also plans to hold a loss prevention workshop for local store owners, possibly in September, in an effort to further help prevent crime in Troy.
“Whatever we can provide to law enforcement agencies,” aid Tony Garrett, community development director for Central Alabama CrimeStoppers. “A lot of agencies just don’t have money or the manpower.”