Man charged for tried theft, vandalizing market housing alleged unlawful gaming room

HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — A Henry County man has been charged following a vandalism and tried theft on September 27.

Deputies with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded to the J&H Market at 870 Preston Road, the place they discovered 41-year-old Thornton Burnette, who had been inside the shop’s sport room when he apparently grew to become irate after dropping cash. Witnesses reported that he demanded a refund from workers and was visibly armed on the time.

After briefly leaving the shop, Burnette returned armed with each a gun and a cordless angle grinder. Witnesses stated he threatened to hurt others earlier than utilizing the grinder to wreck the shop’s gaming machines.

Video surveillance confirmed witness accounts, displaying him utilizing the grinder on the machine earlier than smashing the display screen. Multiple workers and clients ran from the shop on the time of the incident.

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The Henry County Sheriff’s Office stated the gaming room was beforehand unknown to them and appeared for use for unlawful playing. There is an ongoing investigation into the matter.

Burnette, who’s a convicted felon, was taken into custody at his office in Martinsville on September 29. He is going through the next costs:

• Destruction of property
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Use of a firearm within the fee of a felony
• Possession of housebreaking instruments
• Attempted theft

Burnette is being held with out bond on the Henry County Adult Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing; anybody with data is requested to contact the sheriff’s workplace at 276-638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 632-7463.