Two arrested in business B&Es

Published 10:19 pm Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Two men are charged with allegedly breaking into three Cumberland County businesses.

The men, Jesus T. Rodiguez, 20, of Cumberland — who, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, has known gang affiliations and is wanted on an armed robbery charge in Washington State — and Logan Renek, 19, of Cumberland, are charged with numerous felonies. The charges are connected to the break-ins and an assault call in the 1400 block of Anderson Highway early Tuesday morning that led to their arrests.

The two, who lived at the residence, were reportedly assaulting people at the home, located in the Cumberland Court House village, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mike Gordon said.

Jesus T. Rodiguez

Jesus T. Rodiguez

Email newsletter signup

The assault and destruction of property call was reported to police at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.

When deputies arrived on the scene, the two men fled into the woods, Gordon said.

After canvassing the area, deputies returned to the home.

“We pulled in front of the house and we saw one of the suspects had opened the window on the side of the house and he actually did get in,” Gordon said. “We went outside and looked up at the second story and actually saw the suspect.”

Gordon said sheriff’s deputies entered the home and used force to enter an upstairs room where Rodiguez was hiding. Rodiguez then jumped from a window onto the ground.

“This is when we go back around outside and the homeowner tells me that the gun that he had was missing,” Gordon said. “So, now we had an armed subject (with) a possible gang affiliation in Washington State along with a friend of his that was staying there from Washington State.”

“The guy (made) his way into the second story again” climbing the room’s window, he said. “Luckily, we got him down,” Gordon said, adding that police dogs from Powhatan were used.

Deputies eventually found Renek in the woods.

Using DNA samples and after interviewing the two, deputies discovered Rodiguez and Renek were connected to recent breaking and enterings reported at Cumberland Trading Post, Crystal Clear Pools and Affordable Auto Tire on Route 60.

“He’s actually wanted out of Washington State and they’re willing to extradite,” Gordon said of Rodiguez.

The Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office, along with Virginia State Police, provided assistance during the incident.

The two men are charged with assault, felonious damage, breaking and entering into the businesses, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and stealing a firearm.