The hits keep coming in. “Laurel got hit again a few days ago, so did Pachuta on Saturday,” said Jasper County Sheriff Kenneth Cross. For the past few weeks, a string of convenience store burglaries across the Pine Belt have had several agencies, including the Bay Springs Police Department and Jones County Sheriff’s Department, joined together to catch the suspects who break in after store hours (around midnight) and take only tobacco products.

Convenience stores in Jones and Jasper County, and as far away as Petal and Columbia have been broken into. In Jasper County, the Short Stop #3 in Bay Springs, Red Apple in Stringer and a convenience store in Pachuta have been hit.

Sheriff Cross said that the suspects use a large stone or piece of concrete to break the glass in the front door. From there, cigarettes and cigars are stolen by the carton. Cross said that most of the brands are Kool’s, Salem’s, and Black-n-Mild cigars. There was one change in the suspects’ stealing style, however, in the Pachuta break-in. “Apparently they worked up a thirst,” said Cross. “They took alcohol with them this time.”

While there are no solid leads at this time, Sheriff Cross said that they are viewing some video footage taken at the Pachuta break-in.

Anyone with information about these break-ins are encouraged to contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department at 601-764-2588.