Police seek leads on man responsible for area break-ins

Surveillance cameras captured images of this man, above, during a break-in at Xpress Market, near Exit 15, Dec. 2. Police believe he is tied to two other burglaries and thefts.

Corbin Police and Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies may be searching for the same person as they investigate separate burglaries in which the perpetrator used a sledgehammer to beat his way into an ATM machine.

Corbin Police Major Rob Jones, the department’s public affairs officer, said the burglar struck at the Corbin Bingo Parlor on Falls Hwy about 12:15 a.m. Friday.

After cutting his way through the back of the metal building to gain entry, Jones said the burglar used the sledge hammer to beat his way into the ATM machine and then out of the “crane” game.

“He also took the money out of the cash registers,” Jones said, noting the cash amounted to $3,000 to $4,000.

Sheriff Colan Harrell said Lt. Dennis Foley was called to the Xpress Market near exit 15 off of Interstate 75 about 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 2 when employees discovered the burglary.

Harrell said the burglar got inside the store by using the sledge hammer to break through the back wall.

Once inside, video surveillance shows the burglar using the sledge hammer to beat his way into the ATM machine. He then emptied the cash register and took assorted tobacco products before leaving out the back.

“The store closed at midnight,” Harrell noted when asked what time the burglary occurred.

The burglar is described as a large male, dressed in camouflage.

The burglar may have been involved in a third such break-in in Jellico, Tenn. Jellico Police could not provide any details Tuesday.

Anyone with information about the Corbin or Williamsburg burglaries is asked to contact Corbin Police at 528-1122, or Whitley

County Sheriff’s Department at 546-6006. Callers may remain anonymous.