Suspect in 5 business burglaries left social security card on crime scene, police say

A 24-year-old man was charged in five business burglaries after leaving his social security card at a crime scene, according to testimony Tuesday in Columbus Recorder's Court.

Lamonte Leonard pleaded not guilty to five counts of second-degree burglary. He was ordered held in the Muscogee County Jail under bonds totaling $25,000.

Judge Julius Hunter bound the case over to Superior Court.

Columbus police noticed an increase in burglaries near Farr Road in November and December. The Weathers Self Storage business at 313 Ford Drive was broken into five times in November, while the Thompson Christian Book Store at 915 Farr Road has seen four burglaries since November.

Officer Ray Harralson said they put a motion sensor alarm in the self-storage facility after its fourth break-in. Someone tripped the alarm around 10:27 a.m. Nov. 25 and authorities found it burglarized for the fifth time.

They allegedly located Leonard's cell phone, wallet and social security card and driver's license on the scene.

Harralson said they compared photos of Leonard to surveillance videos of multiple burglaries and identified him as the suspect. He was charged with one burglary at the Weathers Self Storage, three at the Thompson Christian Book Store and one at Brennan Road Self Storage at 190 Brennan Road.

A camera and cash register were stolen from the book store and it was left with at least $200 in damage. About $24 was taken from Brennan Road Self Storage, which had more than $200 worth of damage.

Leonard was arrested on outstanding warrants on Jan. 14. According to police, he admitted to breaking into the Weathers Self Storage twice.

Sarah Robinson: 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92

This story was originally published January 23, 2018 at 4:57 PM with the headline "Suspect in 5 business burglaries left social security card on crime scene, police say."