Police: Man caught on camera burglarizing store
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MILAN, Tenn. — A crime caught on camera leads to a quick arrest in Milan. Investigators said security footage of a Sunday break-in led them to their man, Monday. Police say Frank Hooper can be seen vandalizing and stealing from a Milan laundromat in the video. It is also their key evidence that put him behind bars. “When officers arrived there were a couple vending machines, change machines that had been broken into and there was an extensive amount of damage,” Investigator Chris Vandiver with the Milan Police Department said. Hooper did upwards of $3,000 in damages to the store according to police. Investigators said Hooper can be seen smashing the machines with a row of chairs he found inside the business on the security footage. “They were lucky they had a really good camera system,” Investigator Vandiver said. “We were able to quickly pull the footage and start circulating it among our officers.” Officers, who Vandiver said were able to bring Hooper into custody less than 2 hours after seeing the video. “It’s crazy to think that this is going on here in Milan,” resident Randall Hampton said. “It’s always been a pretty low-level town.” With more burglaries happening throughout the city, investigators believe this man was desperate. “This is directly related to drugs,” Investigator Vandiver said. “This guy says he wanted some money for drugs and used some of the money he stole for that. We’re still trying to find where the rest of the money went.” Vandizer said they have not linked Hooper to other recent burglaries but they are still investigating. If you have any other information about this burglary or the three others from last week you’re urged to call Milan Police at (731) 686-3309.
