Cigarette thief strikes at Ochlocknee store
Apr. 15—OCHLOCKNEE — Although the mode of operation is almost identical, a cigarette theft at a Meigs store in February and a similar crime at an Ochlocknee business Wednesday, the thieves appear to be two different people.
At 4 a.m. Wednesday, someone threw an object through a glass door to gain entry to a convenience store at U.S. 19 North and Ga. 188.
"The alarm notified the owner," said Capt. Tim Watkins, Thomas County Sheriff's Office chief investigator.
Cigarettes by the carton and pack, along with cigars, were taken.
On Feb. 18 during predawn hours, an object was used to break glass to gain entry to a Meigs store. Surveillance video showed a man taking a large amount of cigarettes.
The suspect has not been apprehended.
In the Wednesday burglary, surveillance video shows the man — wearing a mask — approaching the business, inside the store and at one point looking directly at the surveillance camera.
Watkins said the body build of the two men is different.
The stolen cigarettes and cigars will be sold on the street, the investigator said.
