Muncey indicted for burglaries but won?t identify his partner
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The defendant, Joe Muncey, 26, was indicted on several counts of burglary and theft for his part in the string of smash-and-grab burglaries which targeted local businesses for several weeks this winter.
Lawmen believe Muncey and another man smashed windows and doors to gain entry to various establishments, fleeing with what they could carry before police arrived. They sometimes hit several times in one evening. It was later found out the men were hitting during the pre-dawn hours because Muncey would allegedly participate in the break-ins after dropping his girlfriend off at work.
Muncey was originally collared for the theft of four dogs during a break-in of a pet store when a person who had received one of the dogs became suspicious. A later search of Muncey?s home and vehicle netted several items taken in the smash-and-grab burglaries.
The latest round of indictments involve smash-and-grab burglaries at Sinful Skin on Sparta Street where lighters and jewelry were stolen; Autumn Ridge Nursery on Union Hill where computers were taken; Dollar General Store where various items were stolen; 1st Choice Pawn, hit twice by the burglars, with a loss of electronic equipment; and Fred?s at Northgate, where various items were taken. Police say they have video of the two burglars inside Fred?s, naming it as one of the reasons they know a second suspect was involved.
While standing indicted, Muncey could still face several more counts because there were other break-ins around the same time frame which matched his alleged method of operation.