Just before 1 a.m. Monday, an officer with the Licking Police Department who was at the police station heard a loud noise on South Main Street. The officer went to investigate, and observed a broken window at a business and a male suspect running north near the intersection of Highway 137 and Highway 32.
The officer followed, but lost sight of him in a creek off of North Main Street. Subsequent investigation and evidence found at the scene of the damage led to the development of the suspect’s identity. He was located and interviewed, and admitted to damaging the property.
As a result, James E. Burris, 18, of Licking was arrested for first-degree property damage, and transported to the Texas County Jail for a 24-hour hold period pending the formal filing of charges.
In other Licking PD news, the agency has a new officer, as Brian Allgire began duty March 11. Officer Allgire is a graduate of Licking High School and attended the police academy at the University of Missouri. He replaces officer Roger Rudstrom, who resigned to accept a position with another law enforcement agency.