CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Three Cortland residents went on an apparent crime spree beginning Tuesday night and lasting through Wednesday morning, attempting to or successfully breaking into multiple businesses in the city of Cortland.
The three young men caused property damage to the Family Dollar store, The Country Kitchen II, The Daily Grind, and the Vape Kult before they were eventually caught, according to Lt. Richard Troyer with the Cortland Police Department.
The three individuals charged are Jamie T. Coville, 20, of South Avenue; Eric T. Jeffers, 18, of South Avenue; and Gregory M. Clink, 21, of South Avenue. They are all facing felony or misdemeanor charges of burglary, attempted burglary, criminal mischief, and conspiracy in connection with the incidents.
Sometime between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., Clink and Coville broke into the Country Kitchen II, located at the Riverside Mall, by throwing a cinder block through the front door window. Once inside, they stole about $17 in change from the cash register, Lt. Troyer said. They both face charges of felony third-degree burglary, petit larceny, felony criminal mischief and conspiracy.
At about 1:50 a.m., Coville, Clink and Jeffers attempted to break into the Family Dollar Store at 160 Clinton Avenue. The three men placed a metal sign post with a cement bottom into a shopping cart and rammed the cart through the front window, breaking glass and damaging the cart. They were not able to get inside the store, police said.
About an hour later, the three men attempted to break into the Daily Grind at 22 Main Street by using a wooden pool stick to smash the front window. They were not able to gain entry, police said.
At around 5:15 a.m., police finally caught up with Jeffers after he attempted to break into the Vape Kult at 130 Main Street by throwing a cinder block at the front door window. After interviewing Jeffers, police were able to locate Coville and Clink.
They were all arraigned in Cortland City Court Wednesday morning and sent to Cortland County Jail. Bail was set at $1,500 for Clink, $1,000 for Jeffers and $500 for Coville.
They were scheduled to appear in city court Thursday.
