Monday night just before midnight, YCSO deputies and Chino Valley police were called out to two apparent break-ins at Ace Hardware and Family Dollar in Paulden.
YCSO was alerted to an alarm call from the security company ADT regarding Family Dollar in Paulden, and while enroute to the call, YCSO dispatchers received a 911 call from the owner of Ace Hardware, saying it appeared someone had broken into his store, stating that the front door was damaged and unlocked. Deputies searched both stores, the Family Dollar also having had the doors damaged and unlocked but found no one on-site and could not determine if anything had been stolen.
The manager for Family Dollar arrived and was able to provide access to the video recordings. They showed a male wearing a jacket, hat, mask, and gloves approaching the front door. He then threw a rock through the glass. He then reached in and unlocked the door.
Deputies believe the man from the surveillance video from the Family Dollar is the same man responsible for two additional break-ins at the Big Country Store in Paulden that occurred this past May.
Deputies are requesting the public’s assistance with identifying this individual who is believed to be responsible for the burglaries at these separate locations in Paulden.
The Sheriff’s Office recognizes that protecting retail businesses is essential, so our rural residents can access local retail businesses for food and other essentials. This type of crime is unacceptable and will be thoroughly investigated.
Anyone having any information about the burglaries, or the identification of the individual involved is asked to call the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at 928-771-3620 and ask for Detective Perry.
