Brian Everett Gladson
Police reports from the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office stated Brian Everett Gladson Jr., 26, has been charged in the investigation.
The schools targeted during the alleged break-ins were Lake Forest Middle School and Bradley Central High School.
According to Bob Gault, media coordinator for the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged burglaries occurred during times the schools were closed: Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas and this past week.
At Bradley Central High School, Gladson is charged with entering four buildings and burglarizing six vending machines. During these alleged burglaries a camera, tools and two laptop computers were also taken.
Based on evidence collected during the investigation Gladson was charged with making entry into buildings at Lake Forest Middle School on 21 times on three different occasions, which includes entering some buildings more than once. Reports show 18 vending machines were broken into resulting in several thousand dollars in damage.
Gladson was taken into custody at 5 a.m. Friday morning at Lake Forest Middle School.
Bradley County Sheriff’s deputies were reportedly patrolling the area when they saw a Nissan Pathfinder parked near a wooded area near the school’s campus. The deputies walked onto the school property and confronted Gladson. Upon seeing the deputies, the suspect fled on foot to the Pathfinder where he was apprehended by deputies waiting by the vehicle.
After his arrest, Gladson reportedly provided investigators with information on his involvement in six previous burglaries at the two schools.
Damage to soft drink vending machines at both schools is expected to exceed $20,000.
Gladson is charged with 25 counts of burglary, two counts of theft over $1,000, four counts of theft under $500, and single counts of theft over $500, auto burglary, and possession of burglary tools.
He is being held in the Bradley County jail without bond while the investigation continues.
