Three charged in string of break-ins

By JEFFREY SIMMONS/Staff

Three suspects are facing a string of break-in and theft charges in what police have dubbed a “three-man crime wave.”
The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office arrested the men Sunday on the heels of two burglaries and an attempted burglary at three Wythe County businesses.
Acting on a tip, officers picked up 19-year-old Eric S. Cregger of Rural Retreat and 20-year-old Joshua T. Haywood of Max Meadows in the Wytheville Wal-Mart parking lot at approximately 4 a.m. Sunday, Sheriff Doug King said. The third suspect, 19-year-old Dusty Rose of Richlands and formerly of Wytheville, was arrested later the same day.
All three have been charged in July 27 burglaries at Robin’s Get and Go in Ivanhoe and T.J.’s CB shop in Fort Chiswell.
According to King, 16 cartons of cigarettes and $60 worth of change were stolen from the convenience store after the back door was kicked in. Fifteen CB radios and four automobile tires were reported stolen from T.J.’s later the same morning, King said. Three doors were damaged in that crime, he said.
The three have also been charged in a July 28 attempted burglary at Mark IV Honda, King said. Nothing was taken from the Chapman Road business after an alarm apparently scared off the intruders, the sheriff said.
The suspects have also been linked to recent thefts at Speedwell Market and the Wythe County Livestock Exchange, according to police.
“Numerous additional charges are expected on the three,” King said, including charges related to recent thefts and vandalism involving mailboxes and highway signs.
So far, Cregger and Haywood are facing 19 charges, and Rose is facing 20.
Appearing in court on Monday, the three men were given court-appointed attorneys to represent them. They’re being held without bond in the New River Regional Jail in Dublin.
Jeffrey Simmons can be reached at 228-6611 or .