Police identify suspect in break-ins
Originally published 03:24 p.m., January 19, 2008
Updated 12:56 a.m., January 20, 2008
NATCHEZ — The Natchez Police Department has identified a suspect in the rash of recent home invasion break-ins.
Police Chief Mike Mullins would not release the person’s name, but said the department did an “extensive interview” with the suspect Friday night.
“We have a strong suspect,” Mullins said. “We are continuing the investigation and developing evidence.”
The suspect is a Natchez resident who lives in the vicinity of some of the burglaries, Mullins said.
The suspect has a known drug addiction.
Mullins said he would not release the identity of the suspect until officers had enough evidence to make an arrest.
“We don’t know what’s going to develop,” he said. “We have several pieces of evidence we are working on, some of that is physical evidence, and some of it is information from witnesses.”
Police believe the suspect is tied to burglaries on Commerce and Orleans streets, Jeff Davis Boulevard and one that occurred Friday on Pearl Street. The burglaries started in early December.
In each case the burglar entered the home between 1 and 4 a.m., while the residents were sleeping. Entry was gained either through an unlocked door, by breaking into a window and unlocking the door or by breaking into a car to obtain house keys.
The suspect has taken purses and small electronic devices.
Police have not yet recovered any stolen items, but Mullins said they had several leads.
It is routine for drug addicts to trade or sell stolen items, Mullins said.
