By Bill Grubb
News Editor

ROGERSVILLE - The man charged with trying to rob a Saint Clair market has now been charged with two other beak-ins, with possible other charges pending.
    Christopher Timothy Allen Covington, 21, 3111 Norman Drive, Morristown, faces burglary and vandalism valued more than $1,000 in connection with an August 6 attempted burglary at CJ's Market, in Saint Clair.
    Covington has also been charged with burglary and vandalism in connection with a July 16 incident at Creek Side Market, south of Rogersville, and burglary, theft valued less than $500 and vandalism over $500 for a July 25 robbery at the Dairy Dream restaurant in Bulls Gap.
    At 1:18 a.m. Monday, Hawkins County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a burglar alarm at CJ's Market, located at the intersection of Melinda Ferry Road and Highway 113, in Saint Clair.
    According to witnesses, a "white male in a dark colored car" came close to the closed store multiple times and finally attempted to gain entry.   
    "The subject removed a section of fencing, went into a fenced area, opened a side door and later pried a lock and hasp off another door, attempting to gain entry through the door. During this time, the audible alarm was activated and the subject got into the vehicle and left the area," a report by Cliff Evans states.
    While officers were on the scene talking to the witnesses, a vehicle passed by the market which witnesses identified as being the attempted burglar's getaway car.
    Rogersville Police Officer George Henry stopped the car and brought Covington and a unidentified female, who was not charged, back to the market.
    "Witnesses positively identified the male occupant as the subject they had just observed vandalizing and trying to enter the store,"  the arrest report notes.
    In addition to the identification, the report adds that a boot print on the damaged door "appeared to match a pair of boots" the suspect was wearing.
    Covington also faces charges in connection with a July 16 break-in at Creek Side Market, on the south end of the Hugh B. Day bridge.
    According to an arrest report for that incident, Covington allegedly admitted he used a rock to shatter a door, but left empty handed after he found the cash register empty.
    On July 25 he "admitted" he threw a rock through the Dairy Dream's window and pulled a cash register of the counter and carried it to the parking lot, a third arrest report states.
    Covington reportedly took approximately $43, authorities claim.