2 men busted for casino lot auto burglary

Two men have been charged in connection with the burglary of a work truck last month in the Golden Moon Casino parking lot.

The men, John C. Hendrix, 40, and Gage G. Dorman, 27, were arrested at Hendrix’s residence on Highway 488 on June 11, according to Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark.

Hendrix is charged with burglary of a vehicle and false pretense. Dorman is charged with burglary of a vehicle, Clark said.

The arrests stem from a May 30 incident where a man reported that his work truck had been broken into. The victim reported that more than $2,500 in tools were stolen, including a laser leveling kit, saws, and drills.

According to Clark, security footage from the casino identified a red Mazda pickup truck as the suspect vehicle.

On June 11, deputies located the suspect vehicle at the Highway 488 residence and also found a tool bag matching an item reported stolen. Clark said both men were inside the residence and briefly attempted to barricade themselves inside before trying to escape through a window.

“I think one of them jumped right into the arms of one of my deputies,” Clark said.

Clark said the two men confessed to the burglary during an interview. Authorities were able to track the stolen items to a local pawn shop, where they have since been recovered.