Arrests made in burglaries
By JARED PUTNAM

Apair of individuals were arrested Friday, suspected of committing at least some of crimes in a string of burglaries that has plagued Union County and the city of Blairsville in recent weeks. The arrests were made following a cooperative effort between the Blairsville Police Department and the Union County Sheriff’s Office

Timothy Aaron Woods, 17, of Blairsville, and Rocky Donovan Beaver, 18, who also now resides in Blairsville, were arrested and each charged with criminal interference with government property, two counts of burglary, and criminal attempt.

“We had them in custody Friday morning, subsequent to an investigation where we did recover some evidence which is crucial to this investigation,” said Michael Baxter, Assistant Chief of Police in Blairsville. “We followed up on a lead and that is how we made the arrest.”

The suspects are believed to have been involved in at least four burglaries of Butternut Creek Golf Course, Foodland, Total Rehab Services, and Westgate Video.

The attempted burglary at Westgate Video was cut short due to an alarm, which scared away the perpetrators. Cash was stolen from Butternut Creek Golf Course, along with a pair of golf carts. “One [cart] was driven into the lake,” added Baxter.

Baxter said that the similarities between the crimes helped lead to the join investigation between the two agencies.

“We felt like they were related because of the distance they were out of town,” said Baxter. “We got together and compared notes with the evidence we had obtained and what [the Sheriff’s Office] had obtained and worked together. We actually even interrogated the suspects together, and that led to the arrests.”

One suspect has reportedly admitted to certain crimes and is cooperating with investigators.