Authorities Investigating String of Area Church Burglaries

Authorities in the city of Toccoa and Stephens County are investigating a string of church break-ins over several weeks.

Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell said that his office has had five church break-ins reported over the last two months or so within the city limits.

Meanwhile, Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said his office has had seven break-ins reported over the same approximate time period in areas throughout the county.

Jarrell and Shirley both said that in most cases, either small amounts of cash were taken or nothing at all in a couple of cases.

However, authorities said one church did have two TV’s stolen.

The two offices are working together on the investigation and at this point, authorities said all indications are that the burglaries appear to be related.

Churches are encouraged to make sure that their buildings are locked and secured and that 911 dispatch has current keyholder information if there is a problem and someone needs to be contacted.

Anyone with information on any church burglaries in Stephens County or the city of Toccoa is asked to contact either the Toccoa Police Department at 706-282-3244 or the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office at 706-886-2525.