Would-be crooks in police custody

An employee who stayed late after work at Jackson's Pizza Hut, 437 W.Main, surprised two would-be burglars and enabled Jackson police to catch them, police said.

According to Lt. Rodney Barnes, two men attempted to enter the restaurant around 2 a.m. Tuesday, but were spotted by an employee working later than normal who called police. They left without taking anything from the restaurant, police said, and were later caught.

"It was a real good job by our patrol department who responded quickly and were checking the area to catch these guys," Barnes said.

Arrested on suspicion of stealing and attempted burglary were Russell A. Whitlock, 48, and Charles L. Snyder, 19, both of Jackson. Barnes said the two had in their possession items that were later determined to have been stolen from several vehicles in the downtown area.

Further investigation led police to apply for an additional burglary charge against Snyder for the Sept. 26 burglary of St. Paul Lutheran church, Barnes said.

Both are being held in the Cape Girardeau County Jail.