The suspect in the robberies of two local Picayune establishments was charged with two counts of burglary.

Deputy Chief David Ervin with the Picayune Police Department said the two establishments burglarized were Handi Cleaners and Wards. Handy Cleaners was broken into from an elevated position.

“We know the business was burglarized through the roof,” Ervin said.

The incident is believed to have occurred on Dec. 27 with the investigation beginning at about 7:15 a.m., he said.

During the burglary an undisclosed amount of money was taken from Handy Cleaners.

The second incident took place at about 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 30 when the Wards security alarm alerted the department to a break in, Ervin said. As officers responded to the alarm one officer witnessed a man walking in the area of Circle Drive. When the officer approached the man, he fled into the woods, Ervin said. The suspect, identified as Irvin Richardson, 19, of 2209 McGehee Ln., was located and taken into custody for questioning about the Wards burglary.

Richardson is believed to have gained entrance to Wards through the drive through window after breaking it out, Ervin said.

The two incidents were linked through the investigative interview and some similarities that were found at both crime scenes.

Ervin said further investigation resulted in charges against Richardson for both the Wards and Handy Cleaners burglaries.