While the snow fell outside on the weekend of Feb. 10, apparent thieves took their time inside Midland Food Mart convenience store on Wood Street, helping themselves to cigarettes, cash and possibly tools. But it didn’t take long for police to catch the alleged thief, believed to be a former store employee.

After the theft was discovered, store owner, Shabbir Baig, said that the store’s cash registers had been pried open and an undetermined amount of cash – as well as the cash drawers – were removed. The robber also took a small box of cash kept underneath the counter that was separate from the register.

On Tuesday, Feb. 12, police arrested Charles L. Walker, 24, of 394 Metacom Ave. and charged him with the break-in.

According to deputy police chief, Steven Contente, their investigation also tied Mr. Walker to a break-in that occurred on Feb. 10 at the East Bay Landromat at 26 Gooding Ave. In that incident, Dep. Chief Contente said that the business owner contact police at 1:30 p.m. after discovering that someone gained entry into the business and used a key from the office area to open the coin boxes in the machines. “Several thousands of dollars” were reported missing from the laundromat break-in.

Mr. Walker was charged with breaking and entering for the purpose of committing larceny; larceny; and two counts of receiving stolen goods. The case is still under investigation and Dep. Chief Contente said that additional charges and additional arrests may be made in connection with the crimes.

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