By Staff
from staff reports
The investigation of a series of thefts spanning several weeks was believed to be solved last weekend in Atmore, police said.
Flomaton resident Donnie Jason Victor, 27, was arrested at 5:40 a.m. Sunday and charged with two counts of third-degree burglary and theft for breaking into The Atmore Advance building located at 301 S. Main St. and stealing money out of the safe. The Advance is a sister newspaper to The Brewton Standard.
Atmore Police Department investigator Robby Williams said the officers who made the arrest did a first-class job in hemming Victor in the building, capturing him and taking him into custody.
A silent alarm system alerted dispatchers that an intruder had made entry into The Advance building at 5:36 a.m.
Within minutes, officers had the building surrounded and made entry. Once inside, they captured Victor hiding in a back room.
Also arrested was Victor's girlfriend, Heather Jordan of Century, Fla., who was found inside the get-away car parked next to the building. Jordan was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary, which is a misdemeanor. She was released from the Atmore city jail later that day.
According to Jordan, Victor told her that he delivered newspapers for The Advance and had access to the building. Victor would then pry the door open using a knife where he proceeded to steal money. Victor, who worked for the newspaper more than four years ago, admitted to Sunday's burglary and one previous burglary.
After officers took Victor into custody, they discovered he was in possession of a moneybag containing an undisclosed amount of money, more than 20 newspaper rack keys and quarters, police said. A search of his vehicle resulted in more quarters, another moneybag from a previous theft and a stack of Advance newspapers, they said.
Following several thefts, Advance management installed security equipment including a silent alarm system and cameras in hopes of catching the perpetrator. The equipment proved to be the key in capturing Victor, who was also caught on tape opening the safe and removing items, police said.
Victor remained in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton Tuesday afternoon. He is being held on a $30,000 bond, but also has a bond revocation.
The Atmore Police Department is still investigating other thefts that occurred in the area, including numerous newspaper rack pilfering reports.