Man arrested after allegedly vandalizing, breaking into 2 Auburn businesses

A 28-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in connection with two December business burglaries in Auburn near West Tech Lane and Teague Court, authorities said.

Dejarius D. Hightower faces two counts each of third-degree burglary and third-degree criminal mischief and one count each of fourth-degree theft of property, first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal mischief. He was booked into the Lee County Jail under bonds totaling $12,000.

Authorities said Hightower was involved in the break-ins that occurred Dec. 26 and Dec. 27 at two businesses near West Tech Lane and Teague Court. He allegedly vandalized the buildings, stole merchandise from several of the vending machines inside and took laptops found on the property.

Officials said they located physical evidence that linked Hightower to the crimes, but didn’t elaborate in the news release. He was in the jail on similar charges when authorities charged him in the December burglaries.

This story was originally published September 6, 2017 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Man arrested after allegedly vandalizing, breaking into 2 Auburn businesses."