Man charged with robbery, burglary in Bowling Green involving area businesses

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – One man is behind bars after a reported burglary and a reported robbery Thursday in Bowling Green.

According to the Bowling Green Police Department, on Thursday, officers responded to a hotel on Scottsville Road for a report of a robbery.

Authorities say employees told them a man entered an employee-only area before stealing a backpack. When confronted by an employee, officers say the suspect allegedly struck the employee multiple times in the face before fleeing out the back of the hotel.

Officer say although they were initially unable to find the suspect, the investigation led to the identification of 41-year-old Thomas J. Craft. Police say later that evening at 10:15 p.m., they responded to a business on Cave Mill Road for a reported burglary.

Authorities say employees stated the business was closed while staff were cleaning when a man reached through the drive-thru window and stole the cash register drawer.

According to police, three men in a nearby parking lot chased the suspect as he fled but were unable to apprehend him. A short time later, police say they located and arrested Craft near a hotel across the street.

Craft was wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance footage and described by witnesses.

Craft was transported to the Warren County Regional Jail. He faces charges of third-degree burglary, theft by unlawful taking, public intoxication and first-degree robbery.

Both investigations remain ongoing.