During the investigation of a burglary on May 15, investigators with the Greenville Police Department uncovered information that led to five arrests in an eight-hour span.

The five arrests covered 10 different charges ranging from burglary to possession of a controlled substance.

Authorities charged Robert Andrew Gafford, 19, with burglary, third degree; Kevin Seale, 29, and Santanna Jones, 28, with possession of drug paraphernalia; Casey Alexander, 22, with burglary, third degree, theft of property, third degree, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; and Fredrick Crenshaw, 40, with possession of a controlled substance and receiving stolen property, third degree.

“I would like to commend Sgt. (Kenneth) Hadley’s efforts and his persistence in this case,” said Capt. Justin Lovvorn, criminal investigation commander. “The police department would also like to thank the agencies that assisted in this investigation, including the Second Judicial Drug Task Force, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Probation and Parole Office.”

The roundup began with two stolen window air conditioning units.

“On May 15, officers received a report of a burglary on Chestnut Street that had occurred early that same morning,” Lovvorn said. “Sgt. Hadley responded to the scene and observed a window that was broken out and two window air conditioner units that had been stolen. Investigators processed the scene and collected several items of evidence. They were able to develop a suspect in the case that same day and Sgt. Hadley was able to locate the suspect, Robert Andrew Gafford. He then interviewed him about the burglary and told the suspect some of the evidence that we had against him, and the suspect confessed to the burglary. Investigators also developed an additional suspect in the case after talking to Mr. Gafford.”

Following the interview with Gafford, Lovvorn said authorities had reason to believe that there would illegal drugs at the location where they believed the second suspect was located. Officers with the Second Judicial Drug Task Force, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Probation and Parole Office assisted the GPD in serving the warrant on the second burglary suspect.

“Three subjects from the residence were arrested as a result of the search warrant,” Lovvorn said. “Investigators were then able to determine where the stolen air conditioner units had been taken. Sgt. Hadley, Lt. Byron Russell, and Probation Officer Paul Mitchell went to a residence on West Commerce Street to attempt to locate one of the stolen air conditioners. The air conditioner was located in a shed behind the house. Investigators questioned Fredrick Crenshaw, who was located at the shed, and also found a large gallon bag of what appeared to be Spice, or synthetic marijuana, in the shed with Fredrick Crenshaw.”

Crenshaw was taken into custody.

Authorities were able to recover all the stolen property.