Thornton Burnette Arrested After Vandalizing J&H Market and Threatening Staff in Henry County
- BTW21
- 7 minutes ago
- 1 min read
HENRY County Va. – The Henry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) announced the arrest of Thornton Burnette, 41, after he allegedly damaged property and threatened employees and customers at J&H Market on Saturday.
According to authorities, deputies were dispatched to the 800 block of Preston Road following reports of an altercation inside the store.
Burnette, who is from 101 Tanyard Road, was inside the market’s game room when he became upset after losing money.
Witnesses reported that Burnette was carrying a firearm and demanded a refund from the staff.
Burnette left the store but returned shortly after, this time with both a firearm and a cordless angle grinder.
Witnesses said he threatened to harm others and proceeded to use the grinder to destroy gaming machines within the store.
Officials later determined that the game room was likely being used for illegal gambling, an operation that had not been previously known to the sheriff’s office.
Surveillance footage helped confirm Burnette's involvement in the incident, and investigators quickly identified him.
Authorities also discovered that Burnette has a prior felony conviction. As a result, warrants were issued for his arrest on multiple charges:
Destruction of Property (18.2-137)
Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (18.2-308.2)
Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony (18.2-53.1)
Possession of Burglary Tools (18.2-94)
Attempted Robbery (18.2-26 / 18.2-58)
Burnette was apprehended without incident on Monday and is currently being held without bond.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the illegal gambling activity at the market.
The sheriff’s office urges anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation continues.