Stores Are Burglarized

Investigators with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office are investigating two burglaries that occurred at Monticello Food Mart convenience store, also known as John’s Store, and at the Hide-A-Way package store.

The burglaries occurred early Thursday morning March 7. Each store had a cash register taken. Items of evidence have since been recovered and have been sent for forensic testing, said the press release from the sheriff’s office. Surveillance cameras showed two subjects approaching the stores and gaining entry by breaking the glass.

Approximately one hour after the local stores were hit, a commercial location in Eatonton, was also burglarized. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with Eatonton Police Department and are currently following up on leads.

Anyone with information related to any of the three cases is asked to contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 706-468-4912 and speak to a member of the Criminal Investigation Division.

Deputies also responded to numerous calls of thefts in the last week.

Deputies responded to Sanders’ Heights where a resident witnessed someone trying to break into her vehicle. Deputies responded to an address on Hwy. 11 south, but still with a Monticello address about a stolen long gun. The semi-automatic was wrapped in snakeskin. Deputies also responded to an address on Cedar Creek Drive about a stolen gun. In addition, a trailer was taken from an address on Edwards Road. There was also a report of a billfold being taken from Ingles.

Also, deputies are investigating a report of fraud at the Tax Commissioner’s office in the Courthouse.

Persons arrested in the last week, and their charges, include:

•Jonathan Richard Hillan, 26, Covington—possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, battery, obstruction or hindering persons make emergency telephone call, cruelty to children 3rd degree, drugs not in original container and criminal trespass.

•Zachary Heath Smith, 24, Covington—civil contempt order.

•Billie Faye Gafford, 75, Mansfield—theft by taking.

•Sabrina Ann Harp, 24, Monticello—Jasper County Superior Court failure to appear bench warrant.

•Kerry Britt Treadwell, 51, Chauncey—failure to report an accident and hit and run, duty of driver to stop at or return to the scene of an accident.

•Misty Dawn Lynch, 37, Griffin—failure to maintain lane and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

•Jaylin Tyree Cortez Thurman, 25, Monticello—possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and unauthorized discharge of firearms within 40 yards of public road.

•Travis Andrews, 37, Monticello—disorderly conduct.

•Quantez Demond Jackson, 32, Monticello—parole/probation violation