A Toccoa man arrested after home invasion, manhunt

A Toccoa man has been arrested after a home invasion on Hughes Street.

According to Toccoa Police Chief Jimmy Mize, on the morning of Aug. 30, his officers responded to a burglary in progress on Hughes Street.

Once on scene, they made contact with a male who said Chad Watkins had broken into the residence and held a knife to his throat.

After he was able to push the intruder off, the victim told officers that Watkins had a gun and was going to shoot him.

Officers also spoke with a female subject at the scene who said that Watkins had broken in through the basement and broken his way through a blocked door to gain entrance to the home.

After securing the scene, officers had dispatch put out a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for Watkins and a vehicle.

According to Mize, Lee Arrendale Correctional Institution was contacted for their K-9 tracking unit, the Georgia State Patrol and Stephens County Sheriff’s Department were both contacted for their assistance in setting up a perimeter.

35 minutes after officers initially responded to the scene, Watkins was apprehended.

Chad Watkins, 44, of Toccoa, was arrested and charged with Home Invasion 1^st degree and aggravated assault.