Dowtown rooftop burglars caught

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Sunday, February 24, 2008 6:11 PM MST

Two suspects have been apprehended and are behind bars for their alleged involvement with a rash of burglaries that took place in Safford this week.

Multiple Downtown businesses were hit, including A Step Back In Time; Carpet, Tile and More; Richards Music Store and others.

Jeremiah Maltby, 18, was arrested for burglary, possession of burglary tools, theft and conspiracy to commit theft after admitting to his role in the burglaries.

These guitars were found hidden in the attic of a residence off Sixth Avenue. Police say all but one of the guitars were stolen from Richards Music Store. Photo by Jon Johnson

Kameron Bailey, 17, who previously admitted to burglarizing Valley Auto Wrecking and his role in the Graham Cemetery desecration, is being held on a probation violation pending charges relating to the Downtown burglaries, according to Safford Sgt. Jason Knight.

Most of the businesses were entered through ductwork in the buildings’ roofs and had cash stolen. The bandits entered Richards Music Store from the roof and stole approximately $10,000 in merchandise including 10 guitars and various electronics.

Police were given information from the owner of Richards Music Store that Bailey was involved with the break-in and where some of the stolen items could be found. The owner said he received the information from an anonymous tip.

According to the Safford Police Department, officers located Bailey driving his gray Hyundai sedan shortly before 10 p.m. on Thursday.

He allegedly attempted to elude officers by driving recklessly at a high rate of speed before pulling over.

During a search of the car, officers found a stolen camera from Richards Music Store as well as an I-Pod accessory that is only carried locally by that store. Police also discovered bolt cutters, gloves and a pry bar.

After interviewing the suspects, Safford officers searched a residence on Sixth Avenue and located several stolen items hidden in the attic. Some of the items recovered included 10 guitars, cameras, I-Pods and computer equipment.

Sgt. Knight said due to the suspects’ modus operandi (the way they burglarized the businesses) and statements from Maltby during interrogation, they have been implicated in multiple burglaries in Safford and other surrounding areas.

Officers are linking the suspects to a possible total of seven burglaries that have occurred within the past week.

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Comments

20 comment(s)

Jerimiah Maltby wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:22 AM:

" this is my up most apology to the City of Safford and every individual that I have effected. I am deeply sorry for my out of character act and I am doing my best to get my own life in line as well as help those close to me I wish I had the money to pay it all back but I unfortunately do not. But I will pay my dues as soon as I can. Again I am eternally sorry.
~Jerimiah Joseph Maltby "

Jerimiah Maltby wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:18 AM:

" I was at fault for mixing in with the wrong crowd, I want everyone to know this. I was not a part of everything that was done, but I did play a role in the big one, I am now paying for this dearly. I have lost a lo in my life and the worst lss I have endured was myself. When all of this happened I stopped caring what happened and thought "what the Heck" but now I know that what I did was terribly wrong, It was out of my own character to do such an act "

Collin White wrote on Mar 28, 2008 11:55 AM:

" I know jerry Very personally..He is a great guy and im not sure what caused him to act like this...I guess what they say is true..Bad things happen To Good people "

reptilist wrote on Mar 2, 2008 1:22 PM:

" It is good to see the parents speaking up for their son...They seem to be good and responsible people, and I'll wager their son will be too...given time...jail time...The boys need to learn that thievery will not be tolerated. "

Cori Bundy wrote on Feb 28, 2008 9:32 PM:

" When Bekah told me that Jeri was in jail and what he did to be in jail I was in complete shock. I never ever saw this coming from him ever. His court date is on the 5th at 8:45 from what I know. I don't know if its true but him Mom said that he was somehow pressured in some way into doing this. I knew something bad was going to happen when I left town but nothing like this. "

Rob Helkey wrote on Feb 28, 2008 8:48 PM:

" give him a harsh punishment, he should have never even thought of it anyway. "

Brian Maltby wrote on Feb 27, 2008 2:10 PM:

" I feel Jeri has a lesson to learn and that he shouldn't get off easy. However, I do feel he needs some help and I would hope the court will recognize this (I am trying to explain to them now), and will not only get Jeri the help he needs, but will also give him a chance to get it together. "

Brian Maltby wrote on Feb 27, 2008 1:58 PM:

" Make no mistake, I understand that my son is responsible for his actions. Because this is Jeri's first offense, I feel it is necessary to help my son. He isn't going to be bailed out, but there are issues that most of you know nothing about that are coloring this situation. These issues have nothing to do with his upbringing or blaming any other person for his actions. Those of you that know about this understand. If the rest of you aren't willing to help, then mind your own business. "

Brian Maltby wrote on Feb 27, 2008 1:51 PM:

" This is Jerimiah's Father. First, I would like to say that this behavior comes straight out of the blue. For those of you who think we ought to lock him up and throw away the key, I'm here to tell you that you haven't the foggiest notion of that which you speak. This is the first time in his life that he has ever run afoul of the law if you don't count traffic offenses. Jeri has always gotten extremely good grades, is very generous and helpful toward other people, and has been employed from an early age. "

Deb wrote on Feb 26, 2008 10:35 PM:

" maybe Jeremiah just got hooked up with a bad crowd.He sounds like a good kid. If Kameron had been in jail where he belonged,Jeremiah probably would not have been mixed up in all this. I am sure Jeremiah will get another chance, The rest of them need to go to jail for a long time. Its a shame Kameron got another chance and drug someone down with him. "

Jessie Stewart wrote on Feb 26, 2008 1:24 PM:

" I've known Jeri as a friend for a couple years now, and can say that this is a complete, 100% shock.

I'm not sure why he did it, I know he had money issues and was looking into college, so that may have had some impact.

It was a bad choice on his end, but I hope he's shown some leniency since he's a genuinely nice guy. "

Sherman Johnson wrote on Feb 25, 2008 11:12 PM:

" I have known Jerimiah since he was a baby. He has always been a good kid. I am completely shocked by this. With some kids you can sort of see it coming so to speak, but Jeri is intelligent, a good student, and hard working. I haven't spoken with him so I have no idea what possessed him to act this way, it is completely out of character. I hope the court will show him some leniency -- not let him off the hook entirely, but give him a second chance. "

Deb wrote on Feb 25, 2008 6:19 PM:

" I don�t know either of these men, but I recognize Kameron Bailey�s name. He is one of the people involved in kicking over my sons headstone in January. He was also involved in the burglary of the junk yard There were three other boys involved and three girls. They have one in custody. I am having a hard time understanding why they weren�t all in custody. The County Attorney says they don�t have an investigator. I guess the sheriffs department doesn�t either. Officers do there job but no one investigates and ties it all together

"

Trina Sonnenberg wrote on Feb 25, 2008 12:18 PM:

" Jerimiah has been living on his own for almost a year. He is an adult.

I understand that he broke the law, and he will be punished for this by the law. Don't judge my son, when you do not know him, or why he did this. I know it must've been an act of desperation,not kicks.

Where is his mom? I'm in Colorado, and I care very much what happens to my boy. "

Sad Mom wrote on Feb 25, 2008 8:16 AM:

" This makes me very sad. I know Jeremiah very well, he spents many hours at my house and I dont know what went wrong...but this is not like him. My heart broke when I read this article. I makes me angry that he would chose such a horrible thing to do, and it kills me that he has ruined his life after only just turning 18. Please keep these kids in your prayers. Remember that this could have been any of our kids and they do not always make the best of choices. "

reptilist wrote on Feb 25, 2008 6:14 AM:

" Lock up the thieving punks for a few years!!! "

Trina Sonnenberg wrote on Feb 25, 2008 5:08 AM:

" I am Jerimiah's mom, and I don't know why this happened. I have not been able to speak with my son since he's been in jail.

He is an adult, and when he left home he was one with a bright future ahead of him. College bound, and a great kid. I don't know what happened that he got himself mixed up in this, but I apologize to everyone who has been affected. I did raise him better than this. "

steve white wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:42 PM:

" Now i can't just blame the parents. It is the decision of these kids as well. They think its "so cool," that they would get some kind of rush from it. Theres no thought proses before they do something stupid. I, as a teen, know this. I have had to work on this for a while. I have gone through a lot, and learned a lot about my self through intense therapy. "

steve white wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:33 PM:

" well i personally know one of them, i grew up with him. these "kid" either lie to there parents, don't live with there parents (or both), or there parents don't care. And if you didn't read properly, they are in jail, being held responsible for what they have done. The police have been doing a great job. Parents need to learn to watch there kids closer, not fall for lame lies that there kids try and fill them up with. Also they need to show there kids a little bit more respect and confidence. "

Point Man wrote on Feb 24, 2008 7:55 PM:

" Why are these kids allowed to continue to run free? Where are their parents? Where is the Justice in our local juvenile justice system? It is more than apparent that our community needs to be protected by these kids. They should be locked up & held accountable & responsible. They are on a Crime Spree Rampage. "

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