The escapee is identified as:

ARTHUR NOKITA BURKS
B/M 39 YOA
1409 JENKS HILL ROAD, SYLVANIA, GA
HGT/ 508 WGT/ 160 HAI/ BALD EYE/BRO
LAST SEEN WEARING A WHITE PRISON UNIFORM

The vehicle is identified as being:

1998 FORD F-150 P/U, WHITE IN COLOR, BULLOCH COUNTY GOVT TAG, HAS BULLOCH COUNTY SEALS ON DOORS, ALUMINUM TOOL BOX MOUNTED BEHIND THE CAB, AND A RED TOOL BOX IN THE BED

The escapee was serving time for Motor Vehicle Theft.

Any contact with the escapee or the vehicle should be reported to the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office or the nearest law enforcement agency.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

March 3, 2004

At approximately 7:15 PM (03/02/2004), Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies, Bulloch EMS, and First Responders from the Stilson Fire Department responded to 5016 Cherrywood Drive in the Flemington Woods subdivision for a drowning. Upon arrival on the scene, First Responders immediately attempted to resuscitate the victim. Bulloch County EMS transported the victim to East Georgia Regional Medical Center. The 2 ½ year old victim died at approximately 9:30 PM.

Sheriff’s Deputies were advised by the child’s mother that she left the victim alone in the house for just a minute when she went over to the fence to speak to one of her neighbors. When she went back to the house, she could not find her daughter. She checked back with the neighbor to see if her daughter went over to his place. The neighbor said she was not there. The neighbor got on his 4-wheeler and began riding around the area looking for the little girl. While he was doing that, the victim’s mother continued to look search in and around the house. Within a few minutes, the mother found the victim in the pool. The victim’s mother jumped in and pulled her out. A call was placed to 911 for assistance.

The body of the victim was taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in Savannah, Georgia for autopsy this date. Results are pending at this time.

Investigation into the drowning is continuing by Sheriff’s Deputies and caseworkers from the Department of Family & Childrens Services.

The victim is identified as 2 ½ year old BRANDY NICOLE SHORES. The parents are LISA and STEVE SHORES, all residing at the Cherrywood address.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

March 3, 2004

At approximately 11:30 PM (03/02/2004), Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported Armed Robbery at the TimeSaver #115 convenience store located on US-25 approximately 15 miles north of Statesboro, Georgia.

Upon arrival at the scene, Sheriff’s Deputies were told by the store’s clerk that two B/M’s entered the store, produced a small handgun, and demanded the money. The victim gave the suspects the small amount of money in the cash drawer. The suspects demanded she open the safe. She told them she did not know the code to unlock it. The suspects left the store with the money and some cigarettes.

A K-9 tracking team from the Georgia State Prison at Reidsville responded to Sheriff’s Deputies request for assistance. Upon arriving at the scene, the dogs followed the tracks to an area a short distance away where it appeared the two suspects got into a vehicle and left the scene.

The clerk described the suspects as :

#1) B/M (late teens or early 20's)
HGT/ 5'08" WGT/160 LBS
HAIR/ DREDLOCKS
COMPLEXION/ DARK (clean shaven)
DRESS/ RED CAP AND RED JERSEY TYPE SHIRT
ARMED/ SMALL, DARK COLORED REVOLVER

#2) B/M (late teens or early 20's)
HGT/ 5'06" WGT/ 170 LBS
HAIR/ SHORT
COMPLEXION/ LIGHT (clean shaven)
DRESS/ BROWN SKULLY CAP AND BROWN SWEATER

No one was injured during the robbery.

The investigation into this crime is continuing.

If you have any information that would lead to the identification and apprehension of those responsible for this crime, please contact Chief Inv. Todd Hutchens at (912) 764-1785 or (912) 764-8888.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

March 8, 2004

At approximately 9:00 PM Saturday night (03/06), Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of an attempted Armed Robbery at the TimeSaver #8 convenience store located at the Grove Lakes subdivision on US-80 east of Statesboro.

Upon arriving at the scene, the store’s clerk reported to Deputies that the suspect came into the business brandishing a small handgun and demanding money. About the same time, another customer entered the store apparently unaware that a robbery was in progress. The suspect turned and walked out of the store without any money or merchandise.

It appeared the suspect left the scene in a vehicle parked nearby. The suspect appears to match the description from a previous Armed Robbery on US-25 last week.

The suspect is described as :

B/M (early 20's)
HGT/ 5'08" - 5' 10" WGT/ 160 -180 LBS.
HAIR/ DREADLOCKS
DRESS/ RED BALL CAP; DARK COLORED PULLOVER SHIRT WITH A HOOD; DARK COLORED PANTS

Anyone having any information that may help in the solving of this crime should contact Chief Inv. Todd Hutchens at 912-764-1787 or 764-8888.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

PRESS RELEASE

MARCH 11, 2004

On November 16th, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a home invasion robbery at 13158 SR-67 south of Statesboro. Continued investigation into the crime since that time by Bulloch County Sheriff’s Investigator W.R. Deal, Jr. has resulted in two arrests and recovery of the victim’s stolen rifle.

Arrested and charges are:

#1) ROY LEE BANDY 22 YOA
505 OAKWOOD DRIVE , STATESBORO, GA

#2) CHRISTOPHER SCOTT WHITE 21 YOA
40 ALFRED FINDLEY ROAD, COLLINS, GA

Both are charged with one count each of the following crimes:

1) ROBBERY
2) BURGLARY
3) KIDNAPPING
4) AGGRAVATED BATTERY
5) THEFT BY TAKING (FIREARM)

White also has an additional charge of misdemeanor Violation of Probation.

On November 18th, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to and investigated a report of a Burglary at the breakroom at Sheppard’s Lumber Mill east of Brooklet on US-80. As a result of the above arrests, this case has also been solved. In addition to the above listed charges against them already, another charge of Burglary has been added for the Sheppard’s Lumber Mill case.

Both suspects are being held in the Bulloch County Jail without bond pending court action. Investigation into the Robbery is continuing with the possibility of additional arrests later on.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff of Bulloch County

PRESS RELEASE

MARCH 11, 2004

At approximately 4 PM Wednesday afternoon (3/10), the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of B/M pointing a gun at a woman in the Talons Lake subdivision located off of the Harville Road south of Statesboro. While Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the call, Trooper Tommy Barron of the Georgia State Patrol was nearby and responded to the call. Arriving on the scene just moments after the call was broadcast, he immediately came into contact with the B/M suspect. When Tpr. Barron attempted to pat the suspect down for the weapon he was supposed to have, the suspect physically resisted. When Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on the scene, they assisted Tpr. Barron in subduing the suspect. The suspect was then arrested and taken in custody by Sheriff’s Deputies.

Investigation by Sheriff’s Deputies into what prompted the call found the suspect picked up his child from the mother earlier in the day. The child’s mother later came to the suspect’s apartment to get the child back. There was some discussion began heated and resulted in the suspect arming himself with a handgun. The suspect pointed the gun at the mother, who was holding the two year old child in her arms at the time, and made threatening statements to her. He forced her at gunpoint back into the vehicle she arrived in. One of the passengers who came with her ran to a nearby apartment and called 911 for assistance.

Arrested and charged with multiple offenses is:

EZEKIEL MAQUEL RICHARDSON 21 YOA
2016 TALONS LAKE DRIVE, STATESBORO, GA
Richardson is charged with the following offenses:

1) Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers (Resisting arrest with violence)(F)
2) Pointing a Firearm at Another Person (M)
3) Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime (F)
4) Aggravated Assault (F)
5) Reckless Conduct (M)
6) Cruelty to a Child (2nd Degree) (F)

Richardson is being held in the Bulloch County Jail without bond pending court action.

No one was injured in the incident.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff of Bulloch County

PRESS RELEASE

MARCH 18, 2004

At approximately 9:00 AM Wednesday morning (3/17), 911 received a call reporting a Burglary had just occurred at a home on the Stilson-Leefield Road near the Leefield community. The caller gave the 911 operator a description of the suspect’s vehicle (a little blue car with front-end damage), which was promptly broadcast over the radio.

As he was nearby and responding to the area, Brooklet Police Chief Brian Mundy passed the suspect’s vehicle on the Brooklet-Leefield Road. Chief Mundy turned around and initiated a traffic stop. The suspects turned off the road into the driveway of another home. Both suspects jumped out of the vehicle and ran. Chief Mundy apprehended one of the suspects at that time. The other suspect ran into the nearby woods.

Sheriff’s Deputies and GSP Trooper responded to the area immediately. A request was made for the tracking dogs from the Georgia State Prison at Reidsville to assist with the search. With the aid of the K-9's from Reidsville and with air support from Deputy Ellis Woods and his helicopter, the second suspect was apprehended a short distance away some 4 hours later.

Taken into custody and charged are the following:

1) TIMOTHY MICHAEL TILLMAN 28 YOA
129 TEAL LAKE, RICHMOND HILL, GA

1) BURGLARY
2) THEFT BY TAKING (FIREARMS)
3) POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY CONVICTED FELON
4) PAROLE VIOLATION

2) MICHAEL DALE HEADRICK 30 YOA
(NO ADDRESS GIVEN)

1) BURGLARY (2 COUNTS)
2) THEFT BY TAKING (FIREARMS)
3) POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON
4) OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

Both suspects are being held in the Bulloch County Jail without bond pending court action.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

PRESS RELEASE

March 24, 2004

On Monday morning (03/22), Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence on the Woodyard Road near Stilson, Georgia to a report of a human skull being found. Upon arrival, it was reported by the homeowners that during the night, their dog had apparently brought a human skull to their front yard. When they started to leave home that morning, they noticed it and called the Sheriff’s Office.

Upon seeing the skull, Sheriff’s Investigators suspected it might be that of a person reported missing in the area in January 2001. The skull was collected, and search of the area began to locate any other remains that might still be found. Assistance was requested from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab personnel.

Assistance from two specialized K-9's trained in locating remains have been employed. The search is continuing as of the time of issuance of this release.

The skull will be examined by the GBI Crime Lab in Atlanta. Dental records of the missing person will be compared to it to see if identification can be made.

Investigation into this incident is ongoing...

Further information will be released as it is appropriate to do so.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

PRESS RELEASE

MARCH 30, 2004
This is a follow up to the March 11th Press Release regarding the arrest of two men for the home invasion robbery on SR-67 which occurred on November 16th, 2003. At the time of the first Press Release, two men were arrested and identified as 1) ROY LEE BANDY and 2) CHRISTOPHER SCOTT WHITE.

Further investigation identified a third suspect. Arrested and charged with the other two is:
KATHLEEN ANN BARBER BRANNEN 23 YOA
506 BRANNEN STREET, STATESBORO, GA
She is charged with the following offenses:
1) ROBBERY
2) BURGLARY
3) KIDNAPPING
4) AGGRAVATED BATTERY
5) THEFT BY TAKING (FIREARM)
Brannen is currently in the Bulloch County Jail without bond pending court action.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

PRESS RELEASE

MAY 6TH, 2004

In mid-April, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Investigators received information regarding a “Murder-for-Hire” scheme. Upon receiving the information, Sheriff’s Investigators requested assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

After almost three weeks of investigation, the following person was arrested and charged accordingly:

KWAME GYASIE ESSUON (27 YOA)
312 A WEST MAIN STREET, STATESBORO, GA

CHARGES: SOLICITATION TO COMMIT MURDER (FELONY)

The targeted victim was notified of the threat and cooperated with the investigators.

Essuon is being held in the Bulloch County Jail without bond pending court action.

The investigation is continuing with the possibility of other arrests being made.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

At approximately 9:00 PM last night, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the TimeSaver #17 convenience store located at Sinkhole Rd. and SR-46 south of Statesboro for a reported Armed Robbery.

The victim (store clerk) reported the two suspects entered the store, pointed a small handgun at her, and demanded money. While one suspect held the gun on her, the other came around behind the counter and took the cash drawer. Both suspects exited the store, got into their vehicle and fled the scene.

Responding Deputies searched the area for the suspects and their vehicle without success.

No injures were reported.

The suspects are described as:

#1) B/M 22-25 YOA
HGT/ 5' 08" WGT/ 170 LBS (AVERAGE BUILD)
HAIR/ DREADLOCKS (OR “TWISTIES”)
DARK COMPLEXION
DARK COLORED BASEBALL STYLE HAT

#2) B/M 22- 25 YOA
HGT/ 5' 07" WGT/ 180 LBS (ATHLETIC BUILD)
HAIR/ SHORT HAIRCUT

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:
OLDER MODEL (BOX STYLE) GRAY OR PRIMER COLORED OLDSMOBILE (POSSIBLY A CUTLASS), 2-DOOR WITH A GEORGIA LICENSE PLATE (NUMBERS UNKNOWN).

Investigation into this case is continuing by the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office. If you have any information that would be helpful in solving this crime, please contact Inv. Bill Black by calling (912)-764-8888 or (912)-764-1765.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

JUNE 2, 2004

At approximately 11:30 PM last night, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a 911 call about someone being beaten with a ball bat at 118 Bird Lane, Lot 15, Statesboro, Georgia. Upon arrival at the mobile home, Sheriff’s Deputies found the victim had been attacked with a machete and was seriously injured. The victim was transported to East Georgia Regional Medical Center by Bulloch County EMS.

At the hospital, the victim was able to provide Deputies with the identity of his attacker. The victim’s injuries were serious enough to require emergency surgery.

Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies are currently looking for:

HAROLD LAVONE CANNON W/M 44 YOA
HGT/ 511 WGT/ 160 EYE/ BLU HAI/BLN

CANNON is being sought for escape from Screven County, Georgia. In addition, he is facing charges of 1) Aggravated Assault, 2) Aggravated Battery, 3) Possession of a Knife During the Commission of a Crime Against Another Person in Bulloch County.

Sheriff’s Deputies with the aid of K-9 Officers from the Statesboro PD attempted to located the suspect after he fled from the scene. The suspect was not found and remains at large.

Cannon is considered to be dangerous and anyone having contact with him is advised to take no action yourself, but to call 911 immediately and report his location, the tag number of the vehicle he is in, and provide a description of his clothing.

Anyone having any information regarding Cannon should call 911 or the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office at 912-764-8888.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff.

PRESS RELEASE

JUNE 3, 2004

At approximately 7:30 AM this date, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area between the Sinkhole Road and SR-46 on the Old Register Way south of Statesboro to a report that HAROLD L. CANNON had been spotted by someone. The caller reported that Cannon was riding on a 4-wheeler when they saw him.

Upon arrival in the area, Sheriff’s Deputies started looking for, and following any fresh 4-wheeler tracks they observed. Following 4-wheeler tracks in the woods just north of Lower Lotts Creek Church, Deputy Fred Cotton located Cannon sitting on a 4-wheeler just in the woods behind the cemetery. Deputy Cotton approached the suspect from behind, and took him into custody.

Cannon was taken to the Bulloch County Jail where he is being held without bond on the following charges:

1) AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO COMMIT MURDER
2) AGGRAVATED BATTERY
3) POSS. OF A KNIFE DURING THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON
4) BURGLARY
5) THEFT BY TAKING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

A detainer will be placed on Cannon for Screven County S.O. for Escape.

The weapon used in Tuesday nights attack was recovered as was the stolen 4-wheeler he was riding at the time of arrest. Food items from the Burglary at Bill’s Place were also recovered.
Cannon is currently held in the Bulloch County Jail without bond pending court action.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

PRESS RELEASE

JUNE 4, 2004

At approximately 8:00 PM last night, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of an Armed Robbery at the TimeSaver #99 convenience store located on SR-46 in Register, Georgia. The victim (store clerk) reported two B/M’s came into the store. One was armed with a small handgun. While he held the gun on the victim, the other suspect came around behind the counter and took the money out of the cash drawer. The suspects left the store running north into downtown Register.

A witness spotted the suspects as they got into a vehicle and drove off. The witness was able to provide Sheriff’s Deputies with the vehicle’s license tag number. The tag number was traced back to an address in Metter, Georgia.

Metter Police Officers, Candler County Sheriff Homer Bell and his Deputies, and Bulloch Sheriff’s Deputies immediately went to the address in Metter. The suspect vehicle was found at the home, as were three suspects. All three were taken into custody at that time without incident. A weapon, money and some drugs were recovered.

Arrested are the following persons:

1) MAURICE DARIEN B/M 21 YOA
COOL SPRINGS ROAD, METTER, GA

2) DAVID LEE MACK B/M 28 YOA
1025 SMITH STREET, METTER, GA

3) GERONIMO BURKE B/M 25 YOA
1001 BOSTON STREET, METTER, GA

All three suspects are charged with the following crimes:

ARMED ROBBERY
POSSESSION OF A FIREARM
DURING THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME

Darien is being held in the Bulloch County Jail without bond pending court action. Burke and Mack are being held in the Candler County Jail with charges pending there. A detainer has been placed on them for Bulloch County.

The arrest of these suspects closes the cases of Armed Robbery at the TimeSaver #17 on 05/26/04 and the TimeSaver #99 in Register last night. The investigation is continuing with the probability of additional charges being filed against the suspects.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

PRESS RELEASE

June 16, 2004

On Thursday (06/10), Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call at the Dry Branch Village mobile home park on Cypress Lake Road south of Statesboro. At that time, one of the victims mother’s reported her daughter having been fondled by the suspect. A Sheriff’s Office Investigator was summonsed to the scene to investigate further.

Investigation into the initial complaint led to four additional victims being located. All described the same basic event. The victims reported they would be walking in the trailer park when the suspect would call them over to his trailer. Once in his trailer, the suspect would offer the victims alcohol and/or marijuana. During the course of the encounter, the suspect is alleged to have felt on the victim’s breasts and buttocks, and solicited oral sex.

As a result of the statements from the victims and witnesses, the following suspect has been arrested and charged accordingly:

BRIAN EARL MCCLENDON 25 YOA
#18 DRY BRANCH VILLAGE TRAILER PARK
STATESBORO, GA

1) SEXUAL BATTERY (4 COUNTS)
2) ENTICING A CHILD FOR INDECENT PURPOSES (5 COUNTS)
3) CHILD MOLESTATION (5 COUNTS
4) VIOLATION OF PROBATION

McClendon is being held without bond in the Bulloch County Jail pending court action.

The ages of the victims ranged from 10 to 14 years of age.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

August 31, 2004

At approximately 3:15 PM on Monday (08/30), Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the rear parking lot of the Cosmetology Building at Ogeechee Tech in reference to two vehicles having been stolen.

As the Deputies began taking reports of the thefts, one of the victims saw her vehicle. She brought the vehicle to the attention of the Deputies, who promptly responded. The vehicle was stopped on US-301. The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody.

Further investigation resulted in the second stolen vehicle being recovered a short distance away. Other items were recovered that were reported as being stolen on August 27th from the victim’s purses in a classroom.

Arrested and charged is:

STEPHEN MARK HALL 24 YOA
807 HARVEY STREET
MILLEN, GEORGIA

1) THEFT BY TAKING MOTOR VEHICLE (2 COUNTS)
2) ENTERING AN AUTO (2 COUNTS)
3) THEFT BY TAKING (FELONY) (August 27th incident)

Hall is currently in the Bulloch County Jail with bond set at $10,000.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

August 20, 2004

On August 12th, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputies received a report of a Schneider Transportation Co. 53-foot trailer loaded with air conditioners being somewhere on the Rocky Ford Road. A check of the area located the trailer at 4 Charlie Finch Road. The trailer was found to be empty at the time.

Investigation over a period of several days found where the trailer left California loaded with air conditioners bound for the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Douglas, Georgia. The load never arrived.

It was determined the 272 air conditioning units had been sold out of the trailer by the truck’s driver. Subsequently arrested and charged is:

DAVID FINCH 39 YOA
366 RAYNARD DRIVE, BLOOMINGDALE, GEORGIA

THEFT BY TAKING (FELONY)
THEFT BY CONVERSION (FELONY)

Finch was release on a $25,000 Bond pending court action.

The trailer and air conditioning unit had a total value of $77,000. The trailer and the 25 a/c units recovered have an approximate value of $25,896.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

August 16, 2004

Since early July, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office Investigators have been conducting an investigation at Brannen Millworks Company located at 3379 Highway 46, Register, Georgia. At that time, company management discovered a significant loss of company money during a period from 1999 through June of 2004.

Investigation found some 462 checks totaling $373,149.00 had been forged by the office manager over the five year period. The office manager has been arrested and charged accordingly, She is identified as:

APRIL MARIE OLSEN 28 YOA
P.O. BOX 28, PULASKI, GA

CHARGES: 7 COUNTS OF FORGERY (CONSOLIDATED CHARGES)

Olsen appeared in the Superior Court of Bulloch County before Judge Gate Peed this morning. Bond was set at $50,000.

Lynn M. Anderson
Sheriff

VALTON CONTREAL HARRIS

HARRIS IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD IN THE BULLOCH COUNTY JAIL WITHOUT BOND