David Hill

dhill@ithacajournal.com | @Ijdavidhill

Deputies notice broken window then spot suspect's vehicle.

Investigation had developed suspects after burglaries in city%2C Dryden%2C Trumansburg%2C Chemung County.

Broken window spotted on routine patrol proves key.

Two people charged in connection with a burglary at a Lansing Subway restaurant have admitted to more than 20 others throughout Tompkins County and two in Chemung County, the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office said.

The arrests came after sheriff's deputies were doing checks of commercial property at about 1:24 a.m. Tuesday and saw a broken front window at the Subway at 15 Catherwood Road. At the same time, deputies spotted a vehicle that had been linked to a suspect in dozens of burglaries.

The Sheriff's Office had been investigating the burglaries, at both commercial buildings and homes, with the state police and Ithaca city police.

Deputies stopped the car, and the two occupants were interviewed at headquarters.

Leandre Lovett, 21, and Nadie Leigh Phoenix, 24, both of Ithaca, were charged with one count of second-degree burglary and two counts of third-degree burglary, both felony-level offenses, according to sheriff's investigators.

The burglaries were in the city, Trumansburg, Dryden and two in Chemung County.

More charges might be brought, according to the sheriff's office. The investigation is continuing with the help of the state Division of Parole and Tompkins County district attorney's office.

Lovett and Phoenix were arraigned in Lansing town court. Lovett was held without bail, and Phoenix was held in the Tompkins County jail on $25,000 cash or a $50,000 bail bond, with proceedings in court scheduled to continue Friday.