FLOCK Cameras Contribute to SCSO Arrest in Theft Case

On Saturday, William Kyle Griffin, 34, of Toccoa, was arrested by members of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, or CID, following an investigation into a March 6 burglary. During the execution of a search warrant for Griffin’s residence prior to his arrest, several long guns and other miscellaneous items reported missing in the burglary were recovered. 

According to a press release issued yesterday by Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office received a call on March 6 reporting a burglary at “One Guard Storage Facility” located  on Oak Valley Road.

Upon deputies arrival, CID was notified for further assistance after learning four separate storage units had been broken into. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and were able to get a good description of the suspect vehicle.  

Sheriff’s investigators  were able to utilize Stephens County’s Law Enforcement Flock Safety Camera System – a form of a license plate reader and camera – and located the vehicle allegedly used in the burglary. After checking the vehicle license through GCIC, using the license plate number, an address was obtained of the registered owner.  

Investigators traveled to the address on Popular Street and spoke to Griffin.  During the interview with Griffin, investigators procured a search warrant for the residence. During the execution of the search warrant, investigators recovered long guns and other miscellaneous items listed as missing in the burglaries. 

According to the press release, Griffin “left the area” and was not arrested when the search warrant was executed, but investigators obtained arrest warrants for Griffin.

This past Saturday, March 16, deputies received a tip where Griffin was. Upon their arrival on Davis Street near Alley Street, deputies saw Griffin, Shirley stated in the press release, adding that “Griffin ran but his efforts failed after a brief foot chase. He was taken into custody.  During the foot chase Griffin tried to discard an object that was filled with narcotics and packaging material, but his efforts again failed.”  

Griffin has been charged with two counts of burglary in the second degree, three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of illegal possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of suboxone with intent to distribute, possession of drug related objects, and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

Griffin remains in the Stephens County Jail after being denied bond by the Magistrate Judge.

Stay tuned to wnegradio and wnegradio.com later this week for an in-depth report on FLOCK camera systems and their use in Toccoa and Stephens County.