Two arrested in thrift store burglary

In a report from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Historic City News has learned that two men have been arrested on multiple charges stemming from recent burglaries at the Betty Griffin Thrift Store in the 600 block of SR-13 North.

The two suspects, identified as 19 year-old Anthony Ryan Snyder who lives at 620 Hummingbird Ct., and 19 year-old Christian A. Cobleigh who lives at 950 Grape La., were booked into the St. Johns County Detention Facility.

Cobleigh is being held on charges of burglary and possession of burglary tools. He remains in jail in lieu of $5,000 bond. Snyder is facing the same charges as well as trespassing and three counts of violation of probation. He is being held without bond.

Property Crimes Unit detectives are continuing the investigation that began Friday night at 11:00 p.m. when deputies responded to a report of a possible burglary in progress at the thrift store. Not finding any obvious signs of forced entry, deputies held the building under surveillance.

A short time later, deputies observed a pickup truck enter the parking lot — with its headlights off.

On making contact with the operator of the vehicle, a pry bar and sledge hammer were observed in the truck bed. The driver and occupant were detained and questioned about that night’s activities and merchandise deputies found on the ground outside the store.

Investigators believe that the couple may be involved in three recent burglaries at the thrift store as well as burglaries to three restaurants over the past several weeks.