lawrenceburgnow.com
lawrenceburgnow.com

Monday, May 5, 2008

Man Pedals Stolen Cigarettes After Burglarizing Liquor Store

   An Iron City man is accused of breaking into a Lawrenceburg liquor store late last week, then attempting to sell cigarettes he had stolen from the business.

   Lawrenceburg Police Officers were alerted to the incident after a clerk at Quick Stop on North Locust Avenue reported that the man had possibly been a victim of a stabbing incident. She told officers that the man had come into the store, attempting to sell her cigarettes, and that he had been bleeding from his arm and hand. She told officers that the man had more than $100 worth of cigarettes in a bag, and that she had purchased five double packs from him. He then reportedly left, walking north along Locust Avenue.

   The man was soon located by a police officer who noted he was walking in the vicinity of Sonic Drive-In. He reported that the man had cuts to his right hand and arm. When officers asked how he had injured his arm, he initially claimed his girlfriend had cut him with a knife. When they asked him where he had obtained the cigarettes he was carrying in two white plastic bags, he told officers he had purchased them at several stores earlier in the day.

   Officers quickly learned that there was a warrant outstanding against the man, and he was transported to the Lawrence County Jail. During questioning, he reportedly admitted he had “punched out a window” at A to Z Liquors on North Locust Avenue. He stated that he had stolen the cigarettes “because he had no money,” and that he had sold cigarettes to the clerk, “because he needed the money and did not care if he got caught.”

   Officers checked the business, only to discover a window on the southeast side of the business had been broken. A total of fifty-two packages of cigarettes stolen from the business were seized into evidence. Officers estimated loss and damages at $1,794.80.

   As a result of the incident the suspect, Berek James Selman, 23, of 137 Chestnut Street, Iron City, was placed under arrest on charges of burglary, theft and felony vandalism.

   Selman is slated to answer the charges through Lawrence County General Sessions Court on June 6, 2008.

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