Authorities bust burglary ring

Sheriff Kenny Dickerson said his law enforcement team has suspects in two break-ins of convenience stores in Marshall County. They are connected with up to possibly 28 convenience store break-ins in Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee.

The sheriff is investigating the theft of a trailer as well.

Authorities in DeSoto, Marshall and Benton counties in Mississippi and in Memphis and Bolivar, Tenn., have busted this burglary ring by sharing information with each other, he said.

Locally, suspects broke out the front glass of Cousin’s Shell on Highway 7 North with large bricks, entered the store and brought the safe out through the broken window, while concealing the vehicle behind the store, he said.

The break-in at Cousin’s took place at approximately 12:30 a.m. December

24. The alarm at the store sounded and 911 received the call but by the time authorities got there the suspects had fled with the safe, he said.

Dickerson said he and his staff developed a possible suspect who was quickly ruled out.

Then Dickerson contacted authorities in DeSoto County and Memphis to see if they had thefts and break-ins where the same type M.O. was used.

Contact with Benton County authorities revealed three recent break-ins of service stations and convenience stores using the same M.O., as did Memphis.

A rapid exchange of physical evidence with the other authorities indicated the break-ins were likely the work of the same people.

Thursday, Dec. 27, Memphis police notified the sheriff they had numerous suspects in custody who could have taken part in the break-ins in Marshall, Benton, and DeSoto counties, and in Memphis.

Detainer warrants have been issued for these suspects in connection with the break-in of the Shell Station as well as a station at Clear Creek Road and Highway 72 in Marshall County, Dickerson said.

The car identified in a surveillance video at Cousin’s Shell on Highway 7 North has been identified by Memphis police, he said.

Detainer warrants on the suspects in custody in Memphis were expected to be issued in Marshall County justice court Friday, Dec. 28.

Stolen property suspect sought

In another case, Marshall County deputies intercepted and followed a Ford dually stolen in DeSoto County as the truck was being driven with an attached trailer stolen in Marshall County.

Dickerson said his deputy followed the truck into Tennessee where the suspect ran the vehicle off into a soybean field and got it stuck in the mud. The deputy’s car also got stuck, he said.

“The suspect was in flight and has an outstanding indictment for felon in possession of a firearm,” the sheriff said. “He will be charged in connection with the stolen trailer in Marshall County.”

Edward Donald Thornberry Jr., 27, of a Rabbit Ridge/N. Red Banks Road address area, is being sought as a suspect in this case, the sheriff said.

Two additional suspects are also being sought in connection with this incident, Dickerson said.

Anyone who has any information regarding the two above cases or any other crime committed in Marshall County is asked to call the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department at 662-252-1311. Callers do not have to identify themselves when providing tips to authorities, the sheriff said.