JONESVILLE, Va. — Lee County authorities tracked down a suspected burglar after two reported convenience store break-ins lead them across county lines.

Jimmy Spencer Robbins, 19, of Gates Hollow Road in Keokee was ultimately arrested and charged with robbery, breaking and entering, grand larceny, and destruction of property. He is being held in the Duffield Regional Jail on a $3,000 bond and was arraigned on Jan. 4.

Lee County Sheriff Gary Parsons reported that on New Year’s Day, Robbins went into Lee’s Food Mart #18 in the Stone Creek section of Lee County. The frightened clerk ran into the office and locked the door while the alleged perpetrator stole 50 lottery tickets and the cash register which contained $100 and fled the premises.

Robbins then allegedly traveled a short distance down the road to the Black Diamond Market #28, which hadn’t opened yet, according to Parsons. He then allegedly kicked down the door and stole more lottery tickets and cigarettes.

Parsons said his officers watched the store surveillance video tape and immediately identified the criminal as Robbins. The sheriff’s department put out a notice for all officers in Lee County and the surrounding area to be on the look out for Robbins.

Lee County Sheriff’s Dept. Deputy Sergeant Tim Brown was enroute to the Jasper section of Lee County when he observed the suspect’s vehicle, a small Toyota car, near Big Stone Gap, Va. in Wise County. Brown followed the vehicle to the Wal-Mart in Big Stone where he stopped the vehicle. He was assisted by officers of the Big Stone Gap Police Dept.

According to Parsons, the vehicle still contained stolen lottery tickets and Robbins was still wearing the same clothes as earlier. Robbins also later told officers where he had dumped the cash register.

Officers working the case are Sergeant A.J. McQueen and Lieutenant Chris Jerrell.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.