A video recording from a business played a role in the arrest of a Seymour man police think was involved in some of the increased criminal activity in the city in recent days.
George E. Smith Jr., 27, was arrested on a burglary charge and booked into the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown at 6:45 p.m. Monday.
Seymour Detective C.J. Foster said the arrest stems from two cases of burglary that happened Monday and likely a third one. One of those cases was discovered after Foster watched a video taken outside Jackson County Co-op Credit Union at 705 W. Second St.
“That video showed someone messing around on the property,” Foster said. “I recognized him as George E. Smith Jr. He attempted to get in the back door of that location.”
Foster said the person in the video also stuck his hand through a transaction door at the drive-thru window and was carrying items found to have come from the garage of someone living near the credit union.
Foster said city officers were told to look for Smith. Later in the day, Officer Devin Cornwell saw Smith on a bicycle looking in cars in a parking lot at Schneck Medical Center, 411 W. Tipton St.
Cornwell asked for assistance, and police later found Smith on the back porch of a residence in the 600 block of West Brown Street near the hospital.
During a search, officers reported they found credit/debit cards, Social Security cards and identification cards in Smith’s wallet that did not belong to him.
Foster said the cards contained the names of at least two people.
He said Detective Brian Moore plans to request a residential entry charge against Smith after he was found on the porch.
“He’s still a suspect in some of the numerous other thefts and the use of stolen cards we’ve had lately,” Foster said.
He said police plan to talk with Smith more in the coming days to determine if he’s involved in other crimes in the area.
Smith was being held without bond pending his initial hearing.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
To report suspicious or criminal activity, call the Seymour Police Department at 812-522-1234.
[sc:pullout-text-end]