Weirton Police began their holiday weekend with a slew of activity, solving numerous crimes, including a break-in at one limited video lottery (LVL) parlor in town. In the early-morning hours of June 22, someone broke into the Mardi Gras Cafe. The bandit took cash, alcohol and candy. Weirton police detectives say thanks to tips from the public, they hope to arrest a suspect next week. Says Detective Rob Alexander, "Warrants are forthcoming. We should have him Monday or Tuesday of next week."

Unrelated to the Mardi Gras break-in, Weirton Police say late on June 19th, Mark Randall Arvin Jr. tried to rob PJ's Getaway, and later Big Al's Git-R-Dunn, both on Pennsylvania Avenue and both LVLs separated by about 2 miles of road--the robberies separated by only 90 minutes or so. Friday afternoon, Arvin turned himself in to Police. Detectives tell NEWS9 surveillance video from those two places, plus the media exposure this case got, helped them get not only an arrest, but also a confession from Arvin. "Even he knew it was a matter of time," says Det. Alexander, "He came down to turn himself in to us, and gave us a statement. We had gotten phone calls resulting in 7 positive IDs."

Det. Alexander says Arvin will face at least two armed robbery charges. On the flip side, he believes the Mardi Gras Cafe suspect has already left the area. Police will issue their warrants early next week. Stick with NEWS9 to find out when an arrest is made.

--Rick Terry, NEWS9