Local helps solve a rash of break-ins
By BECKY LANDRESS Sentinel Writer

Mark Johnson

Eric Wood went home for lunch on Monday and discovered two men at his house who said they were looking for someone; he thought something just wasn't right,

Wood questioned the men and became suspicious about their story. He subsequently took down their tag number. Later, he checked with law-enforcement officers,who had the tag run. The name that came up identified a man who was already a suspect in a break-in.

This big break in the on-going case, came to the Towns County Sheriff's office on Monday, September 17. According to Sheriff Neal Dover, Investigators Robert Kerns and Pat Williams, a warrant was issued, and a consent to search was given for the Towns County home of Paul Henry Worley at approximately 5:15 p.m.

Officers recovered items in the search that looks like an upscale flea market. Approximately $100 to $200 thousand dollars worth of guns, computers, laptops, change and jewelry cover the counters. Boxes full of antiques and collectibles were recovered. The valuables are soon to be reunited with the rightful owners.

Paul Worley

It all started when Wood, a Wildlife Manager for Rock Creek area, discovered two individuals, one at the front of his home and one in the back. When Wood questioned them, they responded with a story about looking for someone else. Wood said he just felt suspicious about the whole story. The tag number that came back turned out to be Paul Worley who was already a suspect in the burglaries.

Earlier, at a burglary at Bill Elliott's Mother-in-laws home here in Union County, several items had been stolen including some valuable coins (rumored to be worth close to one million dollars),Those were recovered at a Dekalb County pawn shop and a specific ring of Elliott's called a Clash Ring which is a racing ring from the Bush Clash Series.

The ring had been taken to Southland Pawn Shop in Towns County and the owner of the pawn shop had notified TCSO, and it had been traced back to Worley. So, the Towns County Sheriff's office were already considering Worley a suspect and a warrant was issued on Worley for theft by receiving. After the discovery by Union County DNR official Wood, Towns law officers went to Worley's home,where Mark William Johnson was staying and got a consent to search.

During the search, taking place late into the night and early morning, all the goods were recovered and Worley (46) and Snellville resident, Mark Johnson (51) were arrested in connection with the burglaries.

Worley and Johnson were subcontractors for a construction company in the area. Worley currently has three spec homes in Towns County that are up for sale. Creditors and victims of Worley could consider the possibility of liens against these properties.

According to Deputy Williams," This is a huge step. There could be a few copy cat burglars that preyed upon some victims but this is a boatload of the victims belongings. We will call the victims and I am sure it will make a good size dent into the missing items."

There have been well over thirty burglaries since July. Law enforcement officers from Union and Towns counties, Ga State Patrol, DNR, and EMS officials have all been proactive in catching the burglars.

Neighborhood watch meetings have been held recently including the discussion of possible rewards. Wood's tip was the last piece of the puzzle that brought the entire case together.