One of three subjects suspected of burglarizing three local businesses last week is being housed in the Bamberg County Detention Center and two other subjects are being sought by the Bamberg Police Department.

Bamberg Police Chief George Morris stated Monday afternoon that the Bamberg Police Department has recovered “some of the items” stolen in the June 16, early morning burglaries of three South Main Highway businesses. And of the three subjects suspected of committing the crimes, one suspect is in jail and two others are still at-large the Chief noted.

According to a City of Bamberg Police Department Incident Report dated June 16, 2011, when officers arrived on the scene of Hiott’s Communication Thursday morning at 8:17 a.m. they met with business owner Clarence Hiott, who stated that when he arrived at his store he noticed the front door busted. Officers entered the store and noticed that one of the video games had been broken into. Hiott, who said he has operated the game room part of his business for going on two months now, informed officers that a radio that was a prize in a Stacker game machine and $20 in loose change inside the cash register was taken. Hiott noted that the thieves must have entered his business between 12 midnight and 8:00 a.m. because he had been at the business around 12 midnight because of the severe thunder storms Wednesday night in the area. Along with $20 in coins, Hiott’s Communication reported $500 in damage to the front door and $600 in damage to a video game.

The Loan Center, located next door to Hiott’s Communication, also fell victim to the thieves on Thursday morning. After discovering the front door of the business also busted out, officers entered the building and noticed behind the counter a white powdery substance “strewn across the floor” which was later determined to be coating from the safe that was stolen from the business. Officers also noticed blood near the powder and on the handle of the safe in the back room and a Vienna sausage can left on the manager’s seat. All total $200 in cash, $150 to a safe and $500 in damage to the front door was reported at The Loan Center.

Across Main Highway in the old Piggly Wiggly shopping center, The Bargain Spot operated by Douglas and Tammy Jones since October of last year did not go unscathed by the thieves. After identifying the same method of entry as in the other two businesses, i.e. “front glass door busted into with glass strewn in the front entrance,” officers spoke with Tammy Jones, who stated that “she was missing several items in the store.” Officers canvassed the area and found blood on the display cabinet and also inside of the cash register. A tissue used by a subject for the bleeding was sent to SLED for DNA analysis. All total $3,225 in merchandise and $600 in damages to the front door was noted at The Bargain Spot. Tammy Jones stated that in spite of what happened to her and her husband’s business she was still blessed. “With all that, I’m still blessed, I can work today,” Jones said.

Bamberg Police Chief George Morris said his department’s investigation into the burglaries is ongoing.