Suspect arrested in series of burglaries

By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
March 13, 2001
Meridian police have arrested a man suspected in several residential burglaries.
Lt. Wade Johnson said Donald A. Hampton, 32, of 1915 21st St., was being booked at press time today on three counts of residential burglary. The burglaries were allegedly committed within the city limits. Hampton was charged Sunday with two counts of auto burglary after cars were broken into over the weekend at Bonita Lakes Mall.
Johnson said police were called to the mall parking lot Sunday, where a witness gave a description of Hampton and his car.
Hampton was later spotted in downtown Meridian and taken into custody. Police recovered what they believe is stolen property from Hampton's car at the time of his arrest, Johnson said.
Hampton was earlier charged by Lauderdale County authorities for allegedly burglarizing several homes, Johnson said.
Bond will be denied for the new charges because Hampton was already free on bond for the alleged county burglaries. He will await his court date, which has not yet been set, while in custody at the Lauderdale County Detention Facility. Johnson said police investigators are combining forces with investigators from the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department.
He said he does not know if Hampton will be charged with additional burglaries.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com.

x