Early Police Department Sgt. Steven Means received a call Sunday morning to the 100 block of Orchard Drive regarding the burglary of a habitation. The caller stated he woke around 4:30 a.m. to find a back door open. The man said he just assumed he had not completely shut the door. After waking for the day some hours later, the caller stated several items were reported missing including food, video games and system controllers, clothing, vacuum cleaner and a fire pit.

During the investigation, Means located a trail of ashes from the stolen pit, which led from the back porch to an apartment door across the street.  While following the trail of ashes, Means discovered an item of food had been dropped in the roadway. The trail led officers to an apartment door. Officers then discovered the fire pit sitting on the balcony in plain view. Detective Brandon McMillian responded to the scene and applied for a search warrant which was then signed by Judge Sam Moss. The search warrant was executed at approximately 3 p.m. After executing the search warrant, all of the stolen items were located, minus a few food items. No one was home at the time of the search warrant being executed.

Later Monday, authorities arrested Derrick Mackey, 22 of Early on the charge of burglary of a habitation in relation to the burglary. Mackey’s bond was set at $15,000.