Ashe Mountain Times

A Hickory man was arrested and charged with breaking and entering four West Jefferson businesses at the Meadow Creek Shopping Center during the early Thursday.

Andrew Jordan, 35, of Hickory, has been charged with four counts of felony breaking and entering, three counts of felony larceny after breaking and entering, and felony possession of burglary tools.

West Jefferson police say Jordan entered and took items from Independence Oil, Decorative Fabric, and Mel's Treasures, which are all located within the same shopping complex.

West Jefferson Police Chief Jeff Rose said Officer Jake Howell was on routine patrol when he spotted a suspicious vehicle sitting in the parking lot of the complex, prompting a search of the premises.

After finding the front of the businesses secure, Howell proceeded toward the rear of the buildings and found one of the doors forced open, said Rose.

Deputies with the Ashe County Sheriff's Office were then dispatched to the scene. While continuing the search of the shopping center, authorities saw Jordan enter his car and try to leave. Authorities stopped him and made the arrest.

Officers found on him $772 in cash that he allegedly took from the businesses, along with rolls of coins, burglary tools and smaller items of merchandise.

Rose said the checking of downtown businesses and locks is a routine practice with the WJPD.

Jordan is in jail at the Ashe County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.

He made his first appearance on Friday in Ashe County District Court.