A group of highly specialized burglars have been hitting cut-rate booze and tobacco stores in the St. Louis area. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that there have been about 15 burglaries at Dirt Cheap stores, with at least eight of the 14 stores near St. Louis targeted. Police say that the thieves have a simple mode of operation, using a car or rock to break a window and then grabbing as many liquor bottles and cigarette cartons as they can. The stores are known in the area for commercials featuring founder Fred Teutenberg, who describes them as “fun-fun” and “cheap-cheap.” One suspect, Richard Bevans, was arrested after a January burglary. Detectives say that he was identified as one of the burglars from a store security videotape and admitted the crime. Bevans was released in April after posting $1,500 bail. Another burglary occurred two days later, and police are now looking for him. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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