Police Arrest Game Crazy Burglar

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Thursday morning, at 1:56 AM, Salem Police officers responded to a report of a burglary at "Game Crazy," a video game store at 4855 Commercial St. SE.

Dwight Simpson, the owner of Game Crazy, went to the store after being notified by his alarm company that the store alarm had been activated.

Upon his arrival, he and his wife saw that a front window had been broken out.

They also saw someone inside the store, so they called police.

While waiting for the police to arrive, 26-year-old Samuel Brendlinger, the suspect inside the store came out.

He started to run when he realized that Simpson and his wife were watching.

Simpson gave chase and tackled Brendlinger, who struggled and escaped his grasp.

Brendlinger ran east, crossing Commercial St. SE, where he was almost struck by a passing motorist.

Not far behind was a responding police officer.

Ofc. Jacob Pratt followed Brendlinger into a construction site where he located the suspect as he tried to scale a retaining wall.

Brendlinger was taken into custody.

Brendlinger was injured during the burglary. cutting his right wrist on the broken glass in the store.

He was charged with Second Degree Burglary and Second Degree Criminal Mischief.

Brendlinger was taken and booked into the Marion County Jail.