Pascagoula police arrest Alabama man in business burglaries

PASCAGOULA -- Pascagoula police have arrested an Alabama man in connection with several burglaries reported in the last two weeks, according to Pascagoula Police Capt. Shannon Massey.

Arthur Edward Phillips, 38, of Pelham, Ala., is being held on three counts of commercial burglary.

Phillips is accused of prying open the back door of two businesses, identified as Perkin's Tire on U.S. 90, and City Shoe Shop at the corner of U.S. 90 and Hospital Road, Massey said. The burglary at Perkin's Tire occurred last Wednesday and resulted in various items being stolen.

The burglaries at the City Shoe Shop happened last week and again Wednesday night. Each time, Massey said, Phillips pried open a back door to get inside and stole various items, none of which were identified.

Video surveillance cameras at the businesses captured footage of Phillips at the scene of the burglaries. In one shot, Phillips can be seen in a black jacket with hand raised making an obscene gesture at the camera.

Police tracked Phillips down at the Crown Inn on 14th Street Thursday night.

Phillips is being held at the Jackson County jail pending an initial court appearance before Municipal Judge Michael Fondren. His bond will be set during the hearing.

The case remains under investigation.

To report crime in Pascagoula, call the Police Department at 762-2211 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-877-787-5898.

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 2:48 PM with the headline "Pascagoula police arrest Alabama man in business burglaries ."