Columbus police are investigating a five-day rash of burglaries, including several at high-profile public locations like the Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle.
A total of six burglaries have been reported at locations throughout Columbus, said police spokeswoman Terrie Songer.
Two suspects have been charged with three of the auto burglaries, and police believe other burglaries may also be connected.
“I am sure some of these burglaries are committed by the same people. That”s how they roll,” Songer said.
The first in the string of break-ins was at Columbus High School at 215 Hemlock St., where the driver”s side window of a car was shattered Friday, she said. A CD player was reported stolen from the vehicle.
Kyle Brooks Shapton, a 17-year-old West Point resident, and William Daniel Edwards, an 18-year-old Columbus resident, were charged with three auto burglaries on Saturday, one at 409 Sylvan Road and two at the Gilmer Inn on Main Street.
In the first incident, entry was gained through an unlocked passenger door; a camera, pair of binoculars and bottle of perfume were stolen.
At the hotel, entry to one vehicle was gained through an unlocked door; a money order, checkbook and pair of sun glasses were stolen. Another car was also broken into and a Dell laptop, green glasses, credit card, food stamp card, cash and medicine.
Both defendants are being held in the Lowndes County Jail on $7,500 bonds, or $2,500 bonds per charge.
Another unlocked car in the parking lot of the hospital”s emergency room was burglarized Sunday. A cell phone and GPS device were reported stolen.
Besides the auto burglaries, two home burglaries were also reported, one Monday in the 2100 block of Bell Avenue and one Tuesday in the 2200 block of 10th Avenue South.
On Bell Avenue, entry was gained by breaking out the front door glass. Two HP laptops and an MP3 player were reported stolen.
The back bedroom window of the 10th Avenue South home was also broken to gain entry. A 53-inch television and a PlayStation3 were reported stolen.
Arrests have been made for two burglaries.
The Columbus Police Department”s Criminal Investigations Division was notified and has taken over the investigation of the home burglaries.
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