Two Brookhaven men were arrested and charged in connection witha recent crime spree that had many business owners a littlenervous, authorities said.

Cedric Watson, 26, of 201 Fulton Street, was arrested Sunday athis residence and charged with robbery, while William Earl Hughes,33 of Apt. 4 Eastview, was charged Monday at the Lawrence CountyJail with one count of attempted burglary and four counts ofburglary and grand larceny, said authorities.

After the five business burglaries and one robbery in about twoweeks in the city, Brookhaven Police Chief Arlustra “Pap” Hendersonset out on a mission.

“We can’t stop all the crime, but we can sure enough bring themto justice,” said Henderson.

Henderson was glad to have the suspects in custody and hopes thearrests will ease the minds of business owners.

Watson was connected to the robbery of Bowie’s Smokehouse at 333Magee Drive on May 3 around 9:30 p.m., according to policereports.

“He ordered some food, but when he got to the cash register hehanded the cashier a note that said he would kill him if he didn’thand over the money,” said Henderson.

Henderson said a tip from the community enabled officers toconnect Watson with the robbery, just days after the incident.

“We had been doing surveillance on that house for a while,” hesaid. “I just want to praise the guys on the job for doing anoutstanding job.”

Watson also faces a grand jury indictment on drug charges. Hewas expected to attend a bond hearing Tuesday for the robberycharge.

Henderson is also thankful to have a suspect in custody for theburglaries of five local businesses.

“He did confess to committing those crimes at those businesses,”he said.

Hughes was connected to the attempted burglary of Smith Jewelryon April 29 as well as the burglary of D-Best Fashions on April 29,Fashions by Margaret on May 3, Hollywood Beauty Supply and McKenzieMart, both on May 6, said Henderson.

“The methods were all the same. A brick or rock or stone wasused on each business to gain entry,” said Henderson.

The clothing items, which included ladies’ dresses and formalwear, was recovered at a residence in Magee, where Hughes was fromoriginally, said Henderson.

“The officers did a fantastic job. I appreciate them workinghard so we could put this to rest,” said Henderson. “Everyone fromthe investigators to the uniformed officers put a great deal oftime into these cases.”

Hughes is being held in the Lawrence County Jail, where he alsofaces two counts of house burglary.