May 3, 2019 - The Center area was recently struck by a string of burglaries mostly of businesses and finally of a residence during April.
Two individuals were arrested in connection with the first two burglaries; however, they appear to have since absconded.
Lead investigator on the burglary cases, Detective Bobby Walker, responded to the La Mexicana Grocery store at sometime around the beginning of April where the two suspects allegedly broke into the grocery store through a vent in the roof of the building.
Several items were taken from the store including grocery items, a cash register, cash and some coin rolls. Two days later, Pineywoods Seafood was also broken into allegedly by the same suspects through the back door of the business and several coin rolls and cash were taken from there.
During the investigation of the two crimes, Detective Walker and his partner noted a motel located between both crime scenes. Once the officers made contact with the motel manager, two individuals staying there matched the suspects they were seeking. One peculiar thing the manager mentioned was the guests paid for their room with dollar bills.
Once the officers made contact with the men, they took them to the Center Police Department for questioning. According to Detective Walker one suspect, Hai Chrit, 21, of Center made a full confession to the burglaries; however, Dah Gay, 21, of Smyrna, TN, asked for a lawyer.
Two arrest warrants each were issued on Chrit and Gay for burglary of a building, felony 4. According to Shelby County Jail records, they also were initially arraigned by Tracy Broadway, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, and had $10,000 bonds placed on each charge. The bonds were later replaced with personal recognizance bonds by the 123rd Judicial District Judge and were released on April 12, 2019.
Darrell's BBQ was broken into on April 21, 2019, and the primary suspects are Chrit and Gay as the burglary appeared to have been handled in the same manner. Most recently on April 23, 2019, Chrit and Gay were allegedly caught on video where a home was broken into on Henrietta Street. Two more warrants were acquired for the arrest of Gay and Chrit; however, they weren't able to be located.
However, Chrit and Gay were pulled over on May 2, 2019, in a reported stolen vehicle by a Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A officer. Gay was arrested and held in the Lafayette County Jail on a charge of vehicle theft, felony 1, until he was released later that same day.
Chrit and Gay are still wanted on warrants out of the Center Police Department for burglary.
