Thieves hit with new charges
Published 11:20 pm Monday, November 3, 2008
Two Covington County men, who were arrested Friday under burglary-related charges surrounding a break-in at the Red Level VFW Thursday, were met with additional charges concerning burglaries in Andalusia over the last month.
Fritz David Otto, 18, of Opp, has been charged with four counts of third-degree burglary and several assorted other charges relating to incidents reported at Sports Cuts at 1907 E. Three Notch on Oct. 14; Sports Shoppe, 1833 E. Three Notch on Oct. 28; Second Look Beauty Salon, E. Three Notch on Oct. 30; and Merle Norman Cosmetics at 1835 E. Three Notch on Oct. 30, said Andalusia Police Chief Wilbur Williams.
Otto is being held on bonds totaling $61,000.
Samuel Brett Bass, 19, of Andalusia, has been charged with three counts of third-degree burglary and other assorted charges relating to incidents reported at Fireman’s County Bar-B-Que at 1790 E. Three Notch reported on Oct. 28; Sports Shoppe at 1833 E. Three Notch, reported on Oct. 28; and Hinson’s Chainsaw Shop, 111 W. Snowden Drive, reported on Oct. 30. Bass is being held on bonds totaling $48,000.
Williams said the arrest would not have been possible without the aid of the Opp Police Department.
“I wish to publicly thank the Opp Police Department and their investigators for their assistance in these investigations,” he said. “Opp P.D. stopped Otto in Opp and discovered several suspicious items in his possession. Opp investigators notified both Andalusia and the Covington County Sheriff’s Department and the investigation soon focused on Otto and Bass.
“The information developed through this coordinated effort demonstrates the strong working relationship that exists between the law enforcement agencies in Covington County and the commitment of the officers from these agencies.”