MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WTVF) — Murfreesboro Police officers arrested a man they say is connected to at least 59 business break-ins in several Middle Tennessee communities.
Police named 35-year-old Robert Shegog the ‘Mule Kick Burglar,’ because of the way he would turn his back to the front door of a business and kick the glass to get inside.
Shegog was arrested during a traffic stop in which he was charged with drug possession. But that led detectives to identify him as the possible suspect in a rash of business burglaries dating back to September of last year. He was arrested Friday, Feb. 21, for multiple counts of burglary, theft and vandalism.
He is accused of stealing more than $100,000 in cash from businesses in 11 cities throughout Middle Tennessee:
- Shelbyville Police Department (16 Burglaries)
- Murfreesboro Police Department (14 Burglaries)
- Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office (7 Burglaries)
- Smyrna Police Department (8 Burglaries)
- Chapel Hill Police Department (3 Burglaries)
- Tullahoma Police Department (2 Burglaries)
- Manchester Police Department (2 Burglaries)
- Woodbury Police Department (2 Burglaries)
- Bedford County Sheriff’s Office (2 Burglaries)
- Nolensville Police Department (1 Burglary)
- Wilson County Sheriff’s Office (1 Burglary)
“The break-ins and thefts have rattled businesses in the mid-State area, and we are grateful the businesses were closed, and no one was hurt,” said MPD Criminal Investigations Division Detective Shan Harris. “This was good ole-fashioned police work, with several agencies working together to get the suspect’s vehicle description, and the person responsible arrested.”
More charges from other agencies are expected as the investigation continues.
Shegog remains in jail at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a $62,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Rutherford County General Sessions Court, March 24.
