Accused Grapevine, Arlington sledgehammer burglars arrested

'Sledgehammer Burglars' arrested mid break-in: Police

Two men police called the "Sledgehammer Burglars" were arrested after they allegedly broke in to an Arlington convenience store. Police believe the men are tied to 10 similar break-ins in Grapevine and Arlington.

GRAPEVINE, Texas - Two men have been arrested in connection to 10 burglaries in Grapevine and Arlington. Investigators say the two men used a sledgehammer to break the glass doors, then stole cigarettes and cash.

An undercover operation eventually led to their arrests.

Sledgehammer Burglaries

Surveillance Video: Grapevine sledgehammer burglars arrested

Video showing June 11, 2025 Burglary at Mac?s Corner in Grapevine, from Grapevine Police Department.

The backstory:

Investigators say they noticed the pattern of similar thefts which started on May 14.

The suspects would break into businesses with a sledgehammer in the early hours of the morning before grabbing the cash and cigarettes.

According to police, investigators used the suspects' descriptions and the method used to get into the convenience stores to connect the burglaries.

Officials learned over the last six weeks there were eight such cases in Arlington and two in Grapevine.

Investigators called the duo the "Sledgehammer Burglars."

They were able to identify a suspect vehicle, a white Ford Taurus registered to Perry Busby, 41, in Johnson County.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, investigators also used a photo from Busby's Facebook to connect him to the car and clothing worn by the suspects in the break-ins.

Grapevine officers traveled to Johnson County and installed a tracking device on the Taurus.

On July 9, detectives tracked the car to Arlington's Lucky 1 Food Mart off West Park Row.

The undercover officers watched two men use a sledgehammer to break in before officers moved to make an arrest.

Busby and Anthony Johnson, 40, ran to the bathroom, climbed on the sink and hid in the ceiling. They were eventually arrested taken to the Arlington City Jail. They face charges of burglary of a building.

Anthony Johnson, Perry Busby (Source: Arlington City Jail)

Johnson later bonded out and Busby was taken to the Tarrant County Detention Center. Busby has since bonded out.