On Jan. 5 the Tryon Police Department responded to a breaking and entering and larceny from coin-operated vending machines at the Tryon IGA.

The suspect took several hundred dollars and equipment from the vending machines.

The IGA was able to download surveillance video that showed the suspect breaking into the machines, according to the Tryon Police Depatment.

The police department distributed pictures obtained from the video to surrounding agencies.

On Jan. 14, Landrum Police Department officers notified Tryon officers of a vehicle sitting on the side of the road in their jurisdiction that matched the description of the vehicle in question.

Tryon officers met with the Landrum officers and identified the vehicle as being the one used during the commission of the crime. The vehicle was towed by the Landrum Police Department due to it being a traffic hazard.

The owner was identified through DMV and the description matched suspect Christopher Lee Bowen, 37, of Landrum. Warrants for felony larceny from a vending machine and misdemeanor burglary were issued.

Landrum police officers arrested the suspect and he was extradited to North Carolina. Bowen was taken to the Polk County Jail and placed under a $5,000 secured bond.

– article submitted by the Tryon Police Department