Jul 22, 2018 2 min read

A Washington man arrested Friday by city police for allegedly burglarizing two businesses in the last month could be facing more charges in connection with a recent rash of store break-ins.

Jeriod A. Fields, 33, of 237 E. Hallam Ave., was arraigned Friday before District Judge Ethan Ward on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, attempted burglary and loitering and prowling at night. He is accused of trying to break into The New Tower Restaurant, 680 W. Chestnut St., June 28 and breaking into Washington Automotive, 503 N. Main St., Thursday night.

Lt. Dan Stanek said Fields is a suspect in multiple recent business burglaries.

“We will know more on Monday,” Stanek said.

The Smoke Shop, 52 Highland Ave., was broken into early Friday. Last weekend, the Exxon at Ridge and Murtland avenues was burglarized both Saturday and Sunday mornings. An air-conditioning unit was pushed in to enter the Smoke Shop while ductwork on the side of the building was removed from the side of the gas station to enter it. It was a similar method used to enter the gas station in a June 27 burglary. Also last weekend, the Uni-Mart, 501 N. Main was burglarized. The front door glass was broken to gain entry.

An employee of Washington Automotive discovered the burglary about 8:30 a.m. Friday when he found a broken window and evidence the office had been entered.

Surveillance showed the break-in happened just before 9 p.m. He entered the building by crawling through the window. Stanek said he watched the surveillance and recognized Fields.

There also was surveillance inside The Tower where Fields was identified by police as the man trying to pry on windows and doors in an attempt to enter the building. The exhaust fan also was damaged.

Fields was placed in Washington County jail on $35,000 bond set by Ward. He is scheduled for an Aug. 1 preliminary hearing before District Judge Robert Redlinger.