A Success man faces two felony charges after allegedly committing a burglary May 5 at a restaurant in Houston.
Following a Houston Police Department investigation of the case, John S. Richards, 39, of 10850 Highway 17 at Success, is charged with second-degree burglary and stealing $750 or more (both class D felonies).
A probable cause statement written by an HPD officer states he was dispatched at about 6:30 a.m. May 6 regarding a report of a burglary at the Frying Pan on South U.S. 63. After making contact with the man who owns the establishment and a female employee, the officer was told a safe containing $2,365 was missing and $190.55 had been taken from the cash register.
Surveillance video reportedly showed someone break in through a back door, empty the cash register and swipe the safe, according to a report. The employee stated she recognized Richards as the man who took the loot because of the shoes he was wearing and tattoos visible on his left hand. He was employed there.
The officer went to a Sugar Maple Lane residence, where Richards was located and arrested. He was taken to the Texas County Jail, where he was interviewed and denied involvement in the burglary, saying he was at home with his wife and kids all night.
His wife reportedly told the investigating officer she had fallen asleep on the couch at about 9 p.m. and awakened at about 1:30 a.m. to Richards coming back into the house.
Richards was booked on $3,000 cash bond.
Police said investigation into a second person’s involvement continues.