Additional Charges Filed Against Burglary Suspect

Authorities in Stephens County have filed more charges against a Toccoa man in connection to a series of burglaries in the city and county.

Late last month, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office arrested 28-year-old Joshua Cole Harrison of Sunset Road in Toccoa and charged him in connection with 13 residential burglaries in Stephens County.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said an ongoing investigation has tied Harrison to more burglaries.

“We actually have solved four more burglaries that he has done in Stephens County,” said Shirley. “We know that he had 31 transactions at local recycling businesses and we knew that there would be more burglaries.”

The sheriff said that in many cases, Harrison would remove the power meter from the home, break into the residence, and steel copper house wiring and tubing from the home, causing thousands of dollars in damage to the home in some cases.

Shirley said Harrison would then carry the stolen copper to local recycle companies, where he would receive less than $100 per transaction.

Charges against Harrison include Burglary in the First Degree and Felony Criminal Damage to Property, among others.

The sheriff said the investigation is ongoing.