Franklin man accused in downtown break-in
Published 5:11 pm Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Warren Myers, owner of Liberty Coins in downtown Franklin, stands outside his store, where the front window is boarded up after a Jan. 26 break-in.
FRANKLIN—For nearly 28 years, a downtown Franklin coin and jewelry dealer went without a break-in.
Then, Warren Myers, owner of Liberty Coins, was hit three times in two months.
On Wednesday, Franklin police arrested a man who they say committed the store’s third burglary on Jan. 26. Police had help from a $1,500 surveillance system Myers installed at the 217 N. Main St. store after the first burglary on Nov. 26.
Edward Brown Sr.
Suspect Edward Gerard Brown, 42, of 1219 Mariner St., Franklin, was caught on tape, said Lt. Tim Whitt.
“The officers investigating had an image but then had to do some tracking and talking to people,” Whitt said.
Cpl. Judson Robinson and Officer Joshua DiGiorgio identified Brown, at which time a warrant for his arrest was obtained.
Myers claims the suspect, who was charged with burglary and grand larceny, broke into his store twice that night.
“He broke in at midnight and came back at 2:47 a.m.,” he said.
Brown is accused of stealing gold and sterling jewelry valued at $350, which Whitt said was not recovered.
It was not known as of Wednesday if Brown also burglarized Liberty Coins on Nov. 26 and Dec. 29.
“It’s too early to tell right now because we are still interviewing him,” Whitt said. “I don’t know if they are getting a confession or what he’s telling them.”
During the initial burglary, entry was gained by breaking the store’s front window. Myers claims merchandise valued at $500 was stolen.
During the second burglary, entry was gained again by breaking the window, police said. One hundred dollar bills, $1,100 in Lincoln pennies and $500 in foreign coins were stolen.
“I just bought them (the pennies) at 4 o’clock that evening,” Myers said. “It was a nice batch of pennies.”
Brown also is suspected of breaking the window to get inside the store.
Replacing three windows and repairing the glass in showcases has cost Myers about $3,000.
Brown also was charged with burglary and grand larceny for allegedly stealing a refrigerator on another occasion. Police had a warrant on file for the incident.
