WEST POINT — The latest in a string of Christmas gift burglaries has West Point police close to making an arrest.
West Point Police Chief Tim Brinkley said shortly after midnight Tuesday, officers responded to a residential burglary call on Eugene Street, where a family reported a stolen flat-screen TV, among several other “smaller” items. Brinkley declined to release the address of the burglary but said new evidence will “soon bring the case to a close.”
Like four others that occurred in the last two weeks, the fifth burglary is located in the southeast portion of the city near Eshman Avenue. The burglars gained entry by breaking a rear-room window. Brinkley said entry was gained through the back door in at least two other cases.
In each of the cases, the burglars opened gifts, took what they wanted and left. And in one of the cases, the burglars left items that were taken from a previous burglary, Brinkley said.
“That’s kind of strange, but it’s a key piece of evidence that will help us close it,” said Brinkley, who declined to say what the items are. “We’re following up with some leads about suspicious activity in that neighborhood, too. The investigation is going well.”
Brinkley said he encourages people to make sure doors are secure and to have proper lighting near rear and front doors.
Murder case
West Point police hope some help from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and former Chief Gary Turner will help identify a lead suspect in the murder case of LeAndre Johnson.
Johnson, 42, of Columbus, was shot to death on Brady Street Dec. 16. No arrests have been made in the case.
Covert MBN officers in the area and Turner, retired head of investigations at WPPD, are assisting with the case because of its complexity, Brinkley said. The investigation has produced “numerous leads,” none of which have helped develop a lead suspect, he added.
The West Police Department has received the autopsy results and evidence processed by the Mississippi Crime Lab. Brinkley declined to disclose the findings while the investigation is ongoing.
“We don’t want to make an arrest prematurely,” Brinkley said. “There’s a lot of rumors, a lot of street talk. Most of our investigators have been working on this case. It’s complex, not because of a lack of evidence, but because there’s so many leads.”
Brinkley said Turner’s experience as an investigator and assistant chief is a welcome addition. Turner has been retired for five years and initially offered to help the WPPD when Brinkley was named chief in August.
“We’re still encouraging any citizens who have information to come forward,” Brinkley said.
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