Police arrest 4 juveniles on vape store burglary charges

Four juveniles have been charged with burglary of a tobacco and vape store earlier this month.

The juveniles are three males, all 15 years old, and a 14-year-old female, Police Chief Eric Lyons said. 

They have all been charged with one count of business burglary and two counts of attempted breaking and entering.

Lyons said the suspects have been charged and released to their guardians while awaiting action in Neshoba County Youth Court.

The four were brought in to PPD on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 20.

The break-in at Philadelphia Tobacco and Vape on East Main Street next to Vowell’s was reported at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12. 

Lyons said officers observed that the glass on one of the storefront windows and display cases was broken. 

The suspects reportedly took several items from the store and an undisclosed amount of cash from the cash register.

Police have video from inside the store that shows the suspects breaking the window with baseball bats.

According to Lyons, this was their fourth attempt at breaking into the store in the past three months. 

Lyons said investigators believe the juveniles are responsible for two incidents in which the front window was broken, but no entry was made to the premises.

The burglary and attempted burglaries resulted in nearly $9,000 in property damages. Lyons said over $3,000 in merchandise was taken during the burglary.