The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the Christmas Eve burglary of two Highway 11 convenience stores, and the nature of the crimes suggests both incidents could be connected.

Around 3 a.m. on Dec. 24, deputies responded to a call concerning a burglary at Logan’s One Stop No. 2, which is located at 7347 U.S. Highway 11 in Carriere, said Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Shane Tucker.

Deputies responded to find the glass front door of the store had been broken, and while it is clear that a burglary occurred, the storeowner could not determine exactly what is missing until he performs an inventory check, Tucker said.

At 12:15 a.m. on Christmas Day, deputies received a call concerning another burglary at the McNeill General Store, located at 8679 U.S. Highway 11 in McNeill, said Tucker.

The store has a surveillance system, which recorded two male suspects in hoodies approaching the building around 11:35 p.m. on Dec. 24, said Tucker.

One of the suspects kicked a small hole in the glass door and used his arm to reach through and push the rest of the glass out, Tucker said.

After the suspects broke through the glass in the front door, they proceeded to steal an undisclosed amount of cigarettes, said Tucker, who added that the Sheriff’s Department has received tips and is currently following up on leads.

The two convenience stores that were burglarized are not far from each other, and both crimes took place within the same 24-hour time frame.

“There’s a possibility that these two burglaries are connected,” said Tucker.

The surveillance footage captured images of both suspects, which can be viewed on the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

“If anybody recognizes these individuals, they should contact the Sheriff’s Department at 601-798-5528,” said Tucker, “We rely on public assistance to solve these cases.”