A Calera man has been arrested in connection with seven burglaries in Jemison within the past two weeks–and several other suspected burglaries in surrounding areas.

Jeremy Wade Doss, 38, was arrested at a pawn shop in Columbiana after keeping investigators busy for days.

Doss allegedly hit residences during the daytime. He would knock on the front door, and if no one would answer, find a back door and break in, Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said.

“In most of the cases, he would take a pillow case, stuff it with valuables, mostly jewelry, and be gone in less than five minutes,” Fulmer said.

The string of burglaries began June 20, and two homes were broken into Monday, in the County Road 25 area.

Investigators were stumped until a breakthrough came with a pawn shop recording its transactions online.

“Pawn shops have to report to police departments, but most send faxes or something like that,” Fulmer said. “Some have elected to do reporting through this online tool that we have, and law enforcement can search that.”

When investigators found Doss had sold merchandise to the pawn shop in Columbiana, they contacted the shop and asked the staff to contact them if he showed up again.

He did, and Jemison Police notified the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, which was able to make a quick arrest.

Doss is being held at the Shelby County Jail on charges brought by departments in that county. He’ll also face at least seven counts of burglary from JPD and possibly more charges from the Clanton Police Department and Chilton County Sheriff’s Department.

“That’s just what we have so far,” Fulmer said. “We’ve got some other cases we think he’s involved in.”

Jemison Police have been able to return stolen property to at least five of the victims.

Fulmer said work on the case would go on for weeks and possibly months as officers connect Doss to as many burglaries as possible and work to locate and return even more stolen property.

“What we’ve heard from people is that it’s a relief knowing the guy that broke into their house was in custody,” Fulmer said.