South Jackson burglary victims speak out - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Couple burglarized while at crime prevention meeting

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By Courtney Ann Jackson - bio | email
Police recovered thousands of dollars in stolen items. And even more at another home nearby. Police recovered thousands of dollars in stolen items. And even more at another home nearby.

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JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

The McLendon's have lived on Woodview Drive in Jackson for 55 years and had never had a break-in -- But that all changed Thursday while they were gone to their precinct's COPS, or Community-Oriented Policing Strategies Meeting.

"It was just all on the floor just everywhere, just everywhere. It was just awful. I just about fainted when I saw it and started screaming," said Lavelle McLendon.

As they sorted through the mess, the couple found several pieces of diamond jewelry and guns missing.

"Didn't think nobody would do this, you know. We had taken all the precaution we could. We had all the safety equipment we could have around the house," explained W.D. McLendon.

But not every window had a security sensor.

"This handle lifts up and you can pull it out. So what they did was raise this up and pushed it around until they opened it up," Lavelle McLendon said.

Just a day later, the investigation led cops to a home on Donaldson Drive. They recovered thousands of dollars in stolen items. And even more at another home nearby. Three teenage boys were arrested in connection with what Jackson police say is a string of house burglaries.

"I'd like to get my hands on 'em is what I'd like to do, I really would. They need to be in school or at work. They don't need to be walking the streets and harassing people like they're doing and breaking in," described Lavelle McLendon.

Still, only one ring has been recovered out of the McLendon's missing items. And their sense of safety has taken a quick turn.

"These last three days have been I guess three of about as, other than losing our daughter, three of the worse days we've ever had, to know we'd been violated like this," said W.D. McLendon.

Police are still searching for a fourth man responsible for these burglaries.

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