REGIONAL— The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has announced an arrest in a series of burglaries and thefts from homes and businesses in the Tower area in recent weeks. Jeffery Allen Bingham, age 42, was in the St. Louis County Jail earlier this week following his May 30 arrest in the case. Bingham has been residing at 1346 Tibbetts Trail in Greenwood Township.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Bingham after a resident along Lake Vermilion Reservation Rd. caught Bingham on a security camera near a shed just after 4 a.m. The homeowner saw the footage as it was happening and confronted Bingham at the scene, who sped off in a silver Chevrolet Impala, before hitting a tree. The vehicle reportedly belongs to the brother of Bingham’s girlfriend.
Bingham initially told investigators that he was with his girlfriend at the time of the incident. His girlfriend confirmed that he was with her much of the night, but that he had left about 4 a.m., using her brother’s vehicle.
Bingham faces three separate felony counts, including third-degree burglary, theft of goods worth more than $1,000, and theft of property without consent.
True Value store owner Dan Julkowski has confirmed that Bingham is believed to have been involved in the theft of tools and other material from the True Value store in Tower as well as a number of other residences in Vermilion Lake and Greenwood townships.
Due to the number of reported burglaries and thefts in the case, law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation as it is likely that others were involved.
Shoplifting charge
Bingham is also facing a shoplifting charge for a separate incident on May 18, at the Walmart in Mt. Iron. Bingham allegedly failed to pay for $117.32 worth of goods that he concealed from store staff.