MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Three people have been jailed in a Monongalia County breaking and entering investigation.
Meanwhile, authorities are trying to determine if the Sunday arrests could lead them to information about a number of break-ins around the region.
According to Monongalia County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Perry Palmer, deputies, City of Morgantown police and members of the Mon Metro Drug Task force, were coordinating coverage in areas recently targeted by thieves.
“We’ve been conducting surveillance on the hard hit areas of these breaking and enterings. Sunday morning, the joint effort was able to arrest three individuals for breaking into Fujiyama,” Palmer said.
Fugiyama is located along Venture Drive.
Police identified John G. Simpkins, Sr., 53 of Morgantown, John G. Simpkins, Jr., 32 of Morgantown and Delmas W. Downey, 33 of Morgantown, as the suspects.
All there were charged with breaking and entering and conspiracy to breaking and entering. John Simpkins, Jr. also had an outstanding warrant from Morgantown Police Department for breaking and entering. They were all arrested and bond was set at $100,000. All three were taken to our regional jail,” add Palmer.
The weekend arrests took place at Fujiyama restaurant on Venture Drive. Thieves had already targeted the same business recently.
In April 2009, an Associated Press report named the father, son and Downey as suspects in 5 break-ins at area business including a Subway, Massullo’s Cleaners, The Original Pizzeria and Toni’s Exquisite Hair located at the Chestnut Ridge Professional Building.
Two others were also charged in that investigation.
In recent months, departments have been working a string of burglary investigations.
“From talking to detectives and talking to Morgantown police, we believe there’s a strong possibility they’re connected,” explained the chief deputy.