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Columbus grocery store broken into Tuesday morning

COLUMBUS—Local law enforcement officials responded to a break-in at Food Lion in the middle of the night this week.

The break-in occurred around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, when officials from the Columbus Police Department, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Tryon Police Department responded. The break-in ended in a foot chase, as when law enforcement approached the store, 1 suspect escaped out the back door and fled on foot.

There were 2 people arrested and charged for the break-in.

Jonathan Obrien Nathan Norman Jr. was arrested and charged with felony break and enter a building to commit a felony/larceny; felony conspiracy to break into a building to commit a felony/larceny; felony possession of burglary tools; felony injuring utility wires; misdemeanor damage to personal property; misdemeanor possession of marijuana; misdemeanor possession of stolen property and several other misdemeanors, according to Columbus Police reports.

April Dawn Atkinson, 39, of 106 Meadow Drive, Taylors, S.C. was arrested and charged with felony conspiracy to break into a building to commit a felony/larceny; felony possession of burglary tools; felony aid and abet breaking and entering; misdemeanor possession of marijuana; misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor possession of stolen property, according to Columbus police reports.

Once Norman fled on foot, Columbus Police Officers located a vehicle in the parking lot of the grocery store that was believed to be in connection with the crime. The vehicle was rented out of Greenville, S.C. and was a 2020 Dodge Ram truck with a stolen registration plate attached. Atkinson was identified as the driver of the vehicle.

Columbus Police Officers and Polk County Sheriff’s Officers searched the area and located Norman. Evidence tied Norman to the breaking and entering as well as the truck, according to reports.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 “Karak” was able to track and locate evidence of the crime that Norman attempted to hide after he fled on foot, according to police reports.

Norman and Atkinson were both transported to the Polk County Detention Center.

Norman was issued a $40,700 secure bond.

Atkinson was issued an $18,700 secure bond.