‘They didn’t do a thorough investigation’: Henrico store broken into, owner says police did not notify him

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Need-Ful Things and More on Pemberton Road in Henrico County was broken into Monday morning, with more than $11,000 worth of damages.

The store owner Brett McCray said his store was broken into at around 2 a.m., while he was asleep.

“One started smashing the glass, and one started grabbing jewelry from over this side,” McCray said when describing the suspects who broke into his store.

McCray said AGT security footage showed burglars using an air conditioner to gain entry, smashing a window. McCray said he was not notified by the police about the break-in until after he reviewed his security footage.

“I felt as though they didn’t do a thorough investigation,” McCray said. “I wasn’t here, I don’t know, but I know they didn’t call me to tell me that my business was broken into.”

The incident was initially reported to the police by ADT, McCray’s security company, after he was asleep and didn’t answer their call. Henrico Police responded to the scene at 2:05 a.m. but reported “no suspicious activity” following their investigation.

In a statement to 8News, the Henrico County Police Division wrote:

“ On Monday, August 19, 2024, at approximately 2 a.m., the Henrico County Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) received a Commercial Alarm Call for a business in the 2200 block of Pemberton Road. At 2:05 a.m., a Henrico Police Officer arrived on scene to investigate the call for service. Following the officer’s check of the building and attempts to make entry, nothing suspicious was noted and the officer cleared from the scene. At 7:59 a.m., the DEC received a call about a reported burglary at the location. Patrol units were dispatched to investigate along with detectives from our Criminal Investigations Section (CIS).

The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 1:55 a.m., two individuals entered a rear window of the store and stole several items before leaving the building at approximately 1:57 a.m. CIS detectives determined the suspects entered the business via a window which was concealed behind several bushes and not easily accessible.

The Office of Internal Affairs is reviewing the call for service to see if there were any violations of policy or procedure. Meanwhile, detectives in our Criminal Investigations Section continue to follow up on tips in this burglary. “

While robbers were in and out of the store in just over one minute, McCray said they caused over $11,000 in damages.

“There’s a 40 by 60-inch hole in my wall, and they said there was no entry,” McCray said.

McCray said the store will be closed for “a few weeks” as repairs are made.

“It’s an absolute joy right in this store… I’ve got to get everything back intact before I can feel safe in my environment, and I don’t want anybody else to feel unsafe, you know,” McCray said.

The Henrico County Police Division asks anyone with information about this incident to contact Det. Silcox at 804-501-4897 .

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