By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
A Salina man was arrested in connection to two business burglaries Thursday.
An officer was sent to the property being renovated for The Original Grande, 1019 E. Crawford Street on Thursday for the report of a burglary, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning. A representative of JRI Commercial Properties told police that someone had busted in the temporary plywood door and taken several items. Those items included a worksite radio and two safety harnesses, Forrester said.
The reporting party also told police that someone had broken into the Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers that is being constructed at 916 E. Crawford Street. Copper wire was ripped out and whoever was there injured himself as blood was found at that location, Forrester said.
The officer checked a neighboring business that had video surveillance of the area and found that at approximately 3 a.m. Thursday a male wearing a backpack, hat, and shorts was seen stuffing the stolen radio into a black trash bag, Forrester said. The officer recognized the individual, who was identified as Merelyn Hendricks, 57, of Salina.
At approximately 11 a.m. Thursday, that same officer located Hendricks in front of the Verizon store at 1200 E. Crawford Street. Hendricks was in possession of the black trash bag and the worksite radio, Forrester said. When Hendricks was searched, a personal use amount of marijuana was found, Forrester added.
Hendricks was arrested on the following requested charges, according to Forrester.
Two counts of burglary
Two counts of theft
Two counts of criminal damage to property
Possession of marijuana
Possession of drug paraphernalia
The total of the items stolen and the damage done was just under $1,000, Forrester said. The items were returned to their rightful owner.