Bradenton man arrested after store ceiling break-in caught on camera, police say
Police arrested a Bradenton man Sunday night after investigators say he broke into a convenience store through the ceiling.
Bryan Jones, 46, faces charges of burglary to a structure causing more than $1,000 in damage and criminal mischief causing more than $1,000 in damage after surveillance video of the burglary helped officers identify him about an hour later, according to the Bradenton Police Department.
Police said Jones broke into Bud’s Mini Mart on Carlton Drive around 9:55 p.m. Sunday.
Store surveillance video showed Jones dropping into the store through an open ceiling vent and walking behind the counter with a backpack. Police said he immediately triggered the store’s security alarm and stole cigarettes, lottery tickets, alcohol, bologna and cheese slices before leaving the business. The burglary lasted less than 10 minutes, according to police.
Investigators reviewed the footage with the store owner and distributed a description of the suspect, police said. A detective later spotted Jones a short distance from the store.
According to police, Jones was scratching lottery tickets believed to have been stolen from the business while carrying a backpack containing cigarettes.
Police said Jones agreed to speak with detectives after being detained. He was arrested about an hour after the burglary and booked into the Manatee County Jail.
Jail records show Jones remained in custody as of Tuesday afternoon. He was being held on a $10,000 bond on the criminal mischief charge, while no bond was listed on the burglary charge.
