A former employee at Hoffman Tire on North Glynn Street in Fayetteville was caught red-handed by Lt. David Webb early Monday morning as he stole tires after gaining entry to the building and disarming the alarm, according to police.

Judson Kenneth Patterson, 22, was charged with two counts of burglary, said Fayetteville Police spokesperson Glenn Askew.

Askew said the incident began at 3:15 a.m. as Webb was sitting across North Glynn Street in his patrol car with his lights off, filling out a report. Webb noticed a gold Volvo drive into the parking lot and around to the rear of the store, Askew said.

Webb drove across the street and went to the rear of the store where he found Patterson taking tires from inside the building, Askew said, adding that Patterson had a tire in his hand when Webb approached him.

Askew said Patterson was a former employee who was in possession of a key and the alarm code.

Further investigation revealed that Patterson had previously taken other items from the store. A search warrant executed at his residence led to the discovery of stolen items that included 38 tires, three cases of automatic transmission fluid, 10 cans of fuel injection cleaner and nine oil filters, Askew said.

Other charges against Patterson are pending, said Askew.

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