Burglars strike several Macon businesses overnight

Broken glass and ravaged countertops told the story of smash-and-grab burglaries that plagued Macon business owners early Tuesday.

At least six locations were reportedly hit, including the Subway and American Wings on Vineville Avenue, Quality Computer Systems on Riverside Drive and Polly’s La Mesa on Pio Nono Avenue.

Brad Spiegel, owner of the computer store overlooking Interstate 75, said it would cost more to repair his building than the value of the goods stolen.

“With what was done here, there is no question it was more than one person,” Spiegel said Tuesday.

A chunk of concrete that looked like an anchor for a sign was left inside the store at 2940 Riverside Drive, where the front window and a glass cabinet were shattered.

In less than 60 seconds, the burglars made off with hundreds of dollars worth of computer equipment earmarked to benefit the Connect2Compete program to outfit Bibb County public school students with computers.

“This is why I do this, so people can see a brighter future for themselves and reduce crimes like these,” Spiegel said. “I hope that everybody involved gets arrested.”

It was about 4 a.m. when Roosevelt Mizell, an area supervisor for Subway, got a call that the restaurant near Payne City had been hit.

“I was hoping that it was just a broken window,” said Mizell, who discovered the cash register missing.

A broken piece of concrete slab was left behind as burglars broke through the front-door glass of the building at 3001 Vineville Ave.

Mizell was worried about employees at another store that was open at that time of morning, but the Vineville location was the only one hit.

The side door of the neighboring wings restaurant also was smashed.

On the south side of Macon, just after 6 a.m., glass repair workers arrived at Polly’s La Mesa at 3439 Pio Nono Ave. They got a call about the break-in about 3 a.m.

Burglars smashed a side window, the front door and another inner glass door at the 40-year-old Mexican restaurant.

While investigating the break-ins, deputies saw a Toyota suspiciously pulling out from behind El Sombrero at 4646 Forsyth Road.

The driver refused to stop and led a chase to the 3100 block of Westover Drive near the Unionville side of Columbus Road.

Three men ran from the car, and deputies caught 17-year-old Eimyre Yashawn Poole of Shakespear Boulevard.

After questioning, Poole was charged with two counts of smash-and-grab felony burglary, theft by receiving stolen property and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

While officers were on Westover with the Toyota, a gold Infinity circled the block several times, but the driver refused to stop for deputies and almost ran over an officer, according to a release.

Deputies chased the Infinity and arrested the driver, 30-year-old Bernard Miller, who was charged with aggravated assault, driving on a suspended license and marijuana possession.

“No shots were fired and no one was injured in this incident. Deputies showed remarkable restraint in dealing with suspects who, based on the video that has emerged, showed no regard whatsoever for the lives of responding law enforcement,” the release said.

It was not immediately clear if any of the items from the burglaries was recovered.

Investigators believe Poole was working with three others. Deputies believe the four also broke into the Growler Spot at 3841 Northside Drive and the neighboring A&T Northside Cleaners before heading to the computer store and Vineville restaurants.

The Polly’s break-in was not mentioned in the news release.

Anyone with information is asked to call Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 877-68-CRIME or 478-751-7500.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 7:52 AM with the headline "Burglars strike several Macon businesses overnight."