GALLIPOLIS — A Gallipolis man alleged to have broken into a local business over the weekend was arrested by officers with the Gallipolis Police Department on Thursday afternoon.

Richard Blackford, 30, was arrested on Thursday following a Saturday break-in at Jividen’s Customs in downtown Gallipolis.

According to an official with the police department, the arrest came through an ongoing investigation that led police to the suspect’s vehicle. A search warrant was received on Thursday by investigators, and a subsequent search of vehicle lead to Blackford’s arrest.

The investigation into the incident began after a Gallipolis police officer was dispatched to the store located at 340 Second Avenue on Saturday, November 3. The officer was called to the scene shortly after 11 a.m. at the store in reference to a breaking and entering.

The store owner reported that she left the store at approximately 9 p.m. on Friday, November 2, and, after returning to work at approximately 11 a.m., she discovered that the back door of the store had been pried open.

Jividen’s Customs is a Digital River Project-supported business only recently held its grand opening in June of this year. It is clothing boutique that also sells custom handmade saddles, boots and furniture.

According to the police report, items stolen in the break-in include a Gateway laptop computer, an iPhone, a Verizon wireless router and $1,200 in cash. The report further indicates that the break-in occurred during the early morning hours of Saturday.

According to officials, charges against Blackford are pending further investigation.

Blackford was also recently charged in the Gallipolis Municipal Court with obstructing official business, a second degree misdemeanor. He was arraigned on September 4, 2012.

An initial court pre-trial was scheduled for September 26 in this case in the municipal court. The pre-trial was later rescheduled on two separate occasions. Blackford is now scheduled to appear on December 12, 2012, for his pre-trial hearing before Municipal Court Judge Margaret Evans.