PARKERSBURG - A man was caught by Parkersburg police while inside a south Parkersburg business after midnight Thursday.
Officers responded to a possible breaking-and-entering at the Sunnyside Crafters Mall at 2504 Pike St. where Officer W.E. Wells noticed the back door to M&K New and Used partially open, department spokesman Sgt. Greg Collins said. It appeared the door had been forced open.
Wells radioed help and when Officer C.E. Radabaugh arrived, they heard noises in the building and entered to investigate. They saw a man wearing a black ski mask and goggles hiding behind a glass counter.
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Preston Scott Harris
The man refused to comply with officers and began beating on the glass front door in an apparent attempt to escape, Collins said. Wells used his Taser on the man, but it had little effect, Collins said.
The officers then converged on the man who continued to break the glass from the front door. He eventually complied with the officers and was handcuffed, Collins said.
The man was identified as Preston Scott Harris, 19, 30 Westview Way, Parkersburg, Collins said. Emergency personnel were called due to Harris' injuries from breaking the glass, Collins said.
A pry bar and a backpack loaded with items from the store were found near Harris, Collins said. The cash register was opened and several glass display cases were broken, he said.
Harris was taken to Camden Clark Medical Center for medical clearance before placement in the Wood County Holding Center to await arraignment. Harris could not be processed at the police department because he was not sober, Collins said.
Police recovered $2,795 in merchandise taken from the store, Collins said. The items included digital scales, gas masks with bongs, glass water bongs, glass and metal smoking pipes and pill grinders.
Detectives also are investigating the possibility other people were involved in the crime because missing property has not been recovered, Collins said.
Harris has been charged with the felony of breaking and entering.
