Thomasville Police Chief Hicks says break-ins may be related
By Barry H. Hendrix Managing Editor

Hicks

Thomasville Police Chief Billy Hicks responded Sept. 7 concerning the investigation of a series of break-ins of businesses during the last few months in Thomasville. Thieves struck recently at businesses such as the Salvation Army Store, Radio Shack, Alltel, Dunn's, and The Finding Balance Day Spa.

Hicks believes some of the break-ins were related. "There are some out-of-town folks that are getting with some of our people," he said.

Jackson Police had arrested suspects on traffic violations, and evidence from Thomasville break-ins had been discovered in the vehicle.

Items such as candy, firearms, money, and an attempt to steal a tanning bed, were involved in the recent break-ins. Thomasville Police are looking at possible suspects, he said.

Hicks advised store owners nervous about the situation "to be a little more aware and suspicious. If you see anything or see somebody that you think is walking around casing the busin ess…ask around if anybody knows them, get their name. Be sure to call us so we can be watching more for that person. See what kind of car they are getting in, get us a tag number. We'll take any kind of help we can get.

"Be vigilant, pay more attention," he said.

"I love to see a business have a good alarm. I know it's expensive. These little old Mickey Mouse alarms a lot of people buy - they are more of a headache. They are going off all the time and aggravating everybody. In some cases, people start cutting them off.

"…Always have one, that when you cut the phone line or you disrupt the power, that ought to an automatic signal right there," Hicks said. "…We don't mind checking them.

"…I'm glad we haven't had any home invasions. Of course…one reason for that is the majority of people around here - we're all country folk - most everybody is armed at their home residence….People around here know when you break into somebody's house and they're home or they come home and catch you, it's a good possibility that you are going to be shot."

There is a perception in the Thomasville community that the downtown area is not safe. "People grumble to the police about speeding (in their neighborhood)," he said, "...(Until they get caught for speeding), then 'you ought not be in our neighborhood, it's peaceful. You need to be out there arresting the real criminals.

"…We patrol downtown just like we do everywhere else. We patrol the neighborhoods." The Thomasville Police are not just always writing tickets on Highway 43, he said. "We write plenty of tickets on Old (Highway) 5.

"…We're staying busy on domestic calls," the police chief said, "but we still patrol downtown and the neighborhoods. Our main goal on the night shift is not traffic enforcement…but keeping a closer check on the businesses."

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