Chandler store robbed
Perpetrator behind bars
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

The Exxon Super Food #7 on Highway 31 in Chandler was the scene of a break-in Saturday, December 15. At 9:38 pm Chandler police officer Chris Saylors responded to an alarm on the premises to find the left front door smashed open and the coin machine inside damaged.

Store owner Farooq Ahmad said around $3,000 in cash was missing from the store, as well as Texas Lottery tickets and tobacco products.

"He caused $1,500 worth of damages to the back door and $3,000 to the front," Ahmad said.

The thief at first attempted to break into the back door. After being totally unable to force the door open with a metal file attached to a wooden handle, the thief, identified later as Eddie Roy Pace, simply smashed open the glass door in front.

"The alarm went off around 9:36," Ahmad said. "The alarm company called me close to 9:46 pm."

The next morning officer Tim Jones came to the Chevron at 206 State Highway 31, also in Chandler, where clerks reported Pace had come in to cash the stolen lottery tickets. Jones soon caught up with Pace and placed him under arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia.

A police report wrote during the inventory session Pace was found to be in possession of several items stolen from the Exxon.

Investigator Jerry Moore, the report stated, was notified of the arrest by Chandler Assistant Police Chief James Lehman. Moore met with Pace and Pace admitted breaking into the gas station.

According to Pace, he had been smoking crack cocaine the night of the burglary and had spent all his money. He then paced back and forth contemplating his break-in before actually going inside.

Moore then filed an affidavit and a warrant was issued. Pace is now in Henderson County Jail.

Ahmad said his store's cameras had caught the whole robbery.

"The police worked very quickly," Ahmad said. "I am very thankful for them."

It took less than one day for the Chandler Police Department to apprehend Pace after the burglary.