BETSY LAYNE – J&J Liquors was the target of a burglary this past weekend, the latest in a series of such break-ins that have taken place in the past year in the county.

According to state police, the store owner arrived at the business Monday morning to find that the burglars forced entry through the front door. In addition, phone lines were cut to the establishment, said Trooper Mike Goble of Post 9 in Pikeville.

Taken from the store was an undetermined amount of cash and the stock of cigarettes, investigators said.

The cutting of phone lines has become a trend with the most recent rash of burglaries in the area and investigators have speculated that this has been an attempt to disable any alarm systems that might be in place.

In addition to cutting the lines at J&J Liquors, the burglars also cut lines at other establishments throughout the plaza, as well as gained entry into a nearby tanning salon.

Police said nothing was taken from the tanning salon, but added that the burglars attempted to gain entry into the Betsy Layne pharmacy during the Sunday night attempts.

The case is being investigated by Det. B.J. Caudill. Anyone with information into the burglary should contact the Kentucky State Police by calling toll-free at (800) 222-5555.