Detective Travis Maltba of the Marion Police Department charged Jerome Michael Buchanan, age 26, of Jacktown Road with 2 counts of breaking or entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and possession of stolen goods.
In the early morning of Thursday March 21, Marion police officers responded to Rhinehart’s Saw and Lawn Equipment in reference to a burglar alarm. Marion police officers had also responded to a burglary alarm at Rhinehart’s earlier in the day. Upon arrival, officers found an open door and determined there had been a break-in with several items missing. Minutes later, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on Jacktown Road. Upon approaching the vehicle, several new chainsaws were discovered in the back seat. McDowell County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Marion Police Department to inquire if they were working a business break-in involving chainsaws. Soon after detectives were able to confirm that the driver of the vehicle was the suspect that had broken into Rhinehart’s during both alarm calls. Detectives also determined multiple items located in the vehicle were stolen from Lowes Hardware.
Buchanan received a $64,000 total secured bond from all charges issued from the Marion Police Department and McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.
