A string of business burglaries has caught the attention of Memphis residents and police. On August 3, a suspect targeted two stores on North Germantown Parkway, causing damage and making off with goods from at least one establishment. According to a report released by the Memphis Police Department, the incidents occurred in the early morning hours, hitting up an Exxon Hop In and a nearby Tobacco Zone.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., the Exxon Hop In at 1375 North Germantown Parkway was the first to be hit. The suspect utilized a 2X6 plank of wood to shatter the front window, making his way inside to swiftly take approximately $400 worth of vaping products. The perpetrator then escaped in a dark-colored sedan, likely aiming to quickly repeat the process at the next target. The whole scene was part of a quick-paced crime spree that makes one wonder about the very tapestry of security that businesses weave to protect their livelihoods.
Following the first burglary, the suspect proceeded to 1319 North Germantown Parkway, where the Tobacco Zone became his next mark. Attempts to use the same piece of wood to break in were thwarted when the store's alarm system sounded, causing the suspect to abandon the effort and flee the scene. The back-to-back nature of these crimes underscores a certain audacity and desperation on the part of the criminal—or perhaps it highlights a broader narrative, a symptom of economic strain and vice pulling at the frayed edges of Memphis.
Memphis Police are actively seeking information that may lead to the arrest of the individual responsible and urge anyone with knowledge of the incidents to come forward. They are asking community members to "call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH," an initiative that leans on the collaborative effort of citizens and law enforcement to surely bring justice.
