Pearl River County sheriff’s deputies arrested a man this week after he allegedly broke into two houses, said Chief Deputy Shane Tucker.

Tucker said the sheriff’s office received a few telephone calls about homes being broken into on Nov. 24.

The first burglary took place between 3 p.m. and 4:10 p.m. on Sunday in the 400 block of Mill Creek Road in Poplarville, Tucker said. The homeowner left home around 3 p.m. and when the owner returned, discovered the door had been forced open, he said.

The suspect, Matthew J. Preston, 33 years old, of 24458 Airey Tower Rd. in Saucier, allegedly broke into the home, stole some clothes, changed his own clothes, placed them in the dirty laundry and then proceeded to steal more clothes, money and shoes from the house, Tucker said.

Tucker said the homeowner also reported some hot dogs, hot dog buns, condiments and a few sodas were also missing from the home.

At around 9 p.m. that night, Tucker said, the sheriff’s department received a tip from  a member of the community about a house in the 600 block of Progress Road in Poplarville that should be checked.

Deputies were dispatched and discovered the latch on a door had been broken. The deputies also noticed a pile of blankets underneath the carport, Tucker said. He said deputies also found a pair of wet shoes with no shoelaces in the house.

He said Preston was found hiding underneath the blankets wearing the clothes he allegedly had stolen from the previous house. Preston also was using shoelaces as a belt to hold up his pants, Tucker said. He said Preston tried to escape, but was unsuccessful.

After arresting him, deputies found a stolen vehicle parked across a creek near the house, Tucker said. He said Preston had to cross through the creek to get to the house.

The homeowner reported a bottle of rum and a bottle of whiskey were missing, Tucker said.

Tucker said the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office also is investigating Preston for the stolen vehicle.

Preston was charged with two counts of residential burglary by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office and he probably will be charged in Harrison County, Tucker said.

The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office also believes he is connected to another burglary that took place in the area.