Robert T. Lee Jr., 40, of East Rochester, was charged recently with third degree burglary, third degree criminal mischief and fourth degree grand larceny after stealing cigarettes from a closed gas station here.
Police say he has admitted to, or was implicated in, at least 19 burglaries totaling more than $12,700 in cigarettes and $8,000 in charges from broken glass.
Lee probably used the sophisticated “smash and grab” method of stealing the smokes. Here a burglar smashes the front windows of stores with a hammer or large rock, grabs dozens of packs of cigarettes, and then tries to escape before police arrive.
The alleged burglar looked a little surprised while being photographed for his file photo. Police would not comment on whether Lee was offered cigarettes during his interrogations.