Bandits continue stealing cigarettes during break-ins
The burglars known as the cigarette bandits continued their brand of unusual break-ins over the holidays, with the latest heist captured on surveillance film at Four-Lane Market.
The most recent break-in happened Dec. 28 at the Sparta Highway establishment, giving the bandits an even half dozen hits in Warren County alone over the past six months. As is the group’s method of operation, only cigarettes were taken.
The burglary marked the second at Four-Lane Market within a month, with the bandits prying open the door of the store on both occasions. On Sunday’s nocturnal visit, the bandits were captured on the store’s surveillance camera. However, the bandits were wearing ski masks and gloves, shielding their identities.
The repeated break-in of the same establishment is not unusual for the bandits as they invaded Pit Stop East in McMinnville on two occasions, hitting the store Oct. 24 and again Nov. 13. They made repeat visits to Newtown Foodland over the summer while also hitting Hullett’s in Morrison once.
Investigators say the group is not limited to Warren County as they have also been linked to similar burglaries in Van Buren, Cannon and Coffee counties.