Colonial Beach Police nab suspected jewelry thief a block away
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- Published on Friday, 03 August 2012 18:19
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In the early morning of Aug. 2 Colonial Beach Police officer David Mundie tazed and apprehended Brian A. Gant from Maryland charging him with theft of a local jewelry store.
Mundie responded to a call from the alarm company for Grandma's Jewelry Box located at 509 Colonial Ave. at approximately 3:57 a.m. When Mundie arrived approximately two minutes after the call he met the owner of the jewelry store who had also been contacted by the alarm company.
Upon investigation Mundie and the owner found the front door of the establishment had been forced open and determined that an undisclosed amount of money had been stolen.
The pair reviewed security cameras, Mundie recognized the perpetrator as 28-year old Brian A Gant. Mundie had previously encountered Gant at both the Beach Inn hotel and the 7-Eleven in Colonial Beach.
Officer Mundie began an immediate search of the area and located Mr. Gant near the intersection of Colonial Avenue and Jackson Street. Officer Mundie attempted to take Mr. Gant into custody and he fled the scene on foot.
Officer Mundie chased the suspect on foot approximately one block where Mundie deployed his taser and Mr. Gant was taken into custody at that point. Gant was charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit larceny, grand larceny and resisting arrest.
Mundie had originally come in contact with Gant outside of the Beach Inn Hotel where, according to Scott Gast the night manager, Gant had been pacing in and out of the hotel’s lobby talking on his cell phone. Gant appeared to be upset while talking on the phone and expressed that he had been left behind by a friend. After becoming upset and making noise from hitting his fist on a metal sign and yelling outside the hotel, a disturbance call was placed to Colonial Beach Police.
According to Gast officer Mundie responded and talked with the Gant without incident, telling him to move on.
Mundie later encountered Gant at the 7-Eleven, again without incident inquiring if Gant had found a way home.
Blevins credits the success of this arrest to everyone working together. Having a good security system in place with cameras, citizens calling in suspicious activity and the quick work of officer Mundie helped to bring this incident to a swift conclusion.
Mr. Gant is currently being held at Northern Neck Regional Jail and his arraignment is set for Aug. 7 in Westmoreland County General District Court.
- Linda Farneth
