Burglar needs more than nicotine patch to curb cigarette habit

Published 12:02 am Saturday, December 29, 2012

NATCHEZ — A Natchez burglar apparently had a jones so bad it could only be fixed with approximately 5,700 cigarettes.

According to a report filed at the Natchez Police Department, the owner of the Daisy Street Grocery contacted the Natchez Police Department Thursday reporting that the business had been burglarized after discovering that an air-conditioning unit had been pushed in so the burglars could access the inside of the store.

Reported missing were between 20 and 30 cartons of Newport, Maverick, Berkley and Doral brand cigarettes, and 39 individual packs of Newport cigarettes — valued at $5.48 a pack — were also stolen.

Email newsletter signup

The prices on the cartons of cigarettes range from approximately $34 to $51 per carton

The thieves also took several boxes of cigars valued at $18.53 a box and an unknown quantity of beer.

Natchez Police Department Investigator Jerry Ford said the NPD has a person of interest in the case.

“If anyone is approached by someone trying to sell them cigarettes or beer, they can notify the NPD or call it in to Crime Stoppers, and Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information leading up to an arrest,” Ford said.

Crime Stoppers can be reached at 601-442-5000.