Police investigating whether apparel burglaries are related

By Journal Times staff

Tuesday, June 27, 2006 2:11 AM CDT

RACINE - Two men were arrested over the weekend after police allegedly caught one of them climbing out of a broken window at a clothing store while carrying boxes of shoes.

Marcus S. Cobb, 21, and Roy L. Powell, 18, both of Racine, were charged Monday with being party to a crime of burglary to a building as a habitual offender. If convicted, each could face up to $25,000 in fines and 18 � years in prison.

According to court records, Racine police officers were on patrol in the 600 block of High Street shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday when they noticed a broken window at Custom Fit, 624 High St. They then saw Powell jump out of the window carrying five boxes of shoes. Powell told the officers that Cobb was with him and that their car was parked at Chubbie's, a nearby bar and restaurant.

Powell told officers he was sleeping when Cobb, his cousin, called him. Cobb asked him to drive to the store. As they drove south on Wisconsin Avenue, Powell saw Cobb on the street and pointed him out to officers. Cobb was then arrested. Police found shards of glass and $51 in Cobb's sweatshirt pockets.

Sgt. Steve Madsen, spokesman for the Racine Police Department, said officers had been watching stores like Custom Fit after a string of burglaries in recent weeks. The broken window was discovered because officers were paying closer attention to the businesses. Since May 1 there have been nine reported burglaries at three similar clothing stores in the city, he said. Merchandise was taken in all the cases, Madsen said. Police are exploring whether the nine burglaries are connected.

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