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Synthetic Drugs May Have Been Factor In Store Break-In Monday Night

Aaron Taber

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a report at 7 o’clock Tuesday morning of a break-in at Mom and Pop’s Liquor Store south of Ava.
Upon arrival, officers found  the glass had been broken on the front door and there was a significant amount of blood on the glass and concrete.
Sheriff Chris Degase said he followed a blood trail to a nearby residence where evidence of the crime was found both in the house and in a car in the driveway.
From evidence obtained, Sheriff Degase and Sheriff’s Dept. Sgt. Vernon Johnson began checking with known associates of a suspect in the case, Aaron Taber, 17, of Ava.
A short time later, officers received word that the suspect was home, however, when they arrived at the suspects’ residence they learned he had fled. He was found a short time later hiding in a field behind the residence and was taken into custody.

The sheriff said Aaron Taber allegedly squeezed his body between these bars and through the broken glass to enter Mom and Pop’s Liquor Store.

Items allegedly taken from the store were also found in Taber’s possession.
A warrant was issued for Taber’s arrest and he was charged with 2nd-degree burglary, property damage and theft/stealing, all felonies. Bond was set at $40,000 and Taber remained in the custody of the Douglas County Jail Wednesday morning.
Sheriff Degase said the illegal use of synthetic cannabis may have played a factor in this case.
The sheriff said Taber squeezed his body between steel bars on the door slightly more than seven inches apart, and also received numerous cuts on his body from the broken glass.