47-year-old Alanto Hopkins was charged with burglary, theft of property, and vandalism after being caught on video vandalizing and stealing tools from a locked utility vehicle.
On October 6th, Memphis Police Officers Onan and Bates responded to a motor vehicle theft from Floor & Decor Store located at 5234 Summer Avenue. When officers arrived they made contact with John Smith, who stated that he left for an hour. He left the van secured in the parking lot at 11 a.m. and returned later to find the front passenger side tire had been slashed and the passenger side door lock was broken. Smith stated that an air compressor, miter saw, and a Porter cable radio were missing from the inside of the vehicle, totaling $560.
Officer Onan watched security camera footage that captured the incident. In the video, it showed a gray Toyota Camry pull into the parking lot and the man in the passenger exited the vehicle. He was wearing a gray shirt, a ball cap, and blue jeans. Then it showed him walking towards the front door of the business as Smith’s vehicle drives by and waited for Smith to go into the business to get back into the Camry. They moved next to Smith’s white 2004 Chevy Express and both males exited the Camry and cut Smith’s front tires on the van, entered the van, and took the items.
On October 9th, Detectives Hillyard and James researched the tag to the Camry which was registered to Martha Hopkins who was located at 710 Semmes Street. The detectives reviewed the footage from the security camera and identified Alanto Hopkins due to his past interactions with the police. After further investigation, the Toyota Camry belonged to Hopkin’s mother. Officers Ivy, Bates, and Detective Bishop went to 710 Semmes Street and observed Hopkins sitting in the Camry. The vehicle was towed to the city lot and Hopkins was transported to Appling Farms Station where he waived his Miranda rights agreeing to speak to investigators.
Alanto Hopkins was arrested and charged with vandalism, burglary, and theft of property. He is currently jailed in lieu of a $5,000 bond.
