Burglary suspect believed to have struck in at least seven counties

Sheriff Jimmy Edwards is hoping the public will recognize a suspect in a lengthy string of home burglaries, so officers can solve further cases and perhaps recover some of the stolen merchandise. At least seven counties are involved.

The suspect, George Anderson, 52, of Saltillo is in custody at the Union County Jail.

Edwards said their involvement started when they received a call Sept. 28 about a burglary in the Myrtle areas.

George Anderson

“The homeowner had a good surveillance system and we were able to get a picture of the vehicle and partial tag number,” Edwards said. “After a lengthy investigation shared with Marshall, Lafayette and Prentiss County we were able to determine the identity of the suspect.”

Anderson was arrested Wednesday in DeSoto County and brought back to Union County.

Anderson has a lengthy criminal history, Edwards said, and is on federal probation for being an unregistered sex offender, as well as a history of burglaries.

Edwards said they believe he has committed burglaries in Prentiss, Marshall, Lafayette, Union, Itawamba and Benton counties in this area and Marion County in Alabama.

“We believe he has been on a very lengthy crime spree and we are asking people to look at his photo and the vehicle and if they have any information about it or have seen him to contact local law enforcement,” Edwards said.

Anderson usually takes jewelry, electronics and money, and sells the items over a wide area, he said. They don’t have a total estimate yet but are still investigating and have recovered some items.

Bond for Anderson was set at $30,000 for the Myrtle burglary but Edwards said he expects the other counties to bring charges as well. He added that one of the burglaries may actually have been a home invasion.

Edwards thanked the agencies from the other counties involved for helping bring the arrest about. He said again he hopes someone will remember having seen Anderson or the 2013 Chevy Tahoe he was using, with the tag number PWB-7850. Someone also may have purchased some of the items from Anderson.

“It was very important to get him off the street,” the sheriff said. “Thank goodness for good video.”