CLEVELAND — White County authorities report the arrest of two men in connection with a June home invasion and armed robbery on Ga. 75 South, Cleveland.
The victim reported that one of the offenders forced his way into his home by pointing a gun at his head when he answered the door. A second person also entered the residence, according to the White County Sheriff’s Office. Once inside, the two tied the victim up and allegedly took money, medication and a cell phone. The offenders then fled the residence, at which time the victim was able to free himself and went to a neighbor’s house and called 9-1-1.
White County Sheriff's Capt. Rick Kelley said one of the offenders was a former acquaintance of the victim.
Kelley said investigators interviewed several witnesses and suspects, and also executed a search warrant at a residence on Goatneck Road.
Investigators also collected and analyzed cell phone records. As a result of the investigation, 22-year-old Terry Nicholas Thomas of Clarkesville and 18-year-old Rick Chase Casper of Cleveland were arrested and charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, first-degree home invasion, and kidnapping.
Thomas was arrested Aug. 10, and Casper was taken into custody on Tuesday of this week.
During the investigation, two people were arrested during the execution of the search warrant at the Goatneck Road home on June 20, Kelley said. Those individuals were Richard Franklin Casper and Kathy Louise Casper, both of Cleveland. They were charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The charges on the Caspers are not related to the armed robbery incident, according to Kelley.
Kelley said sheriff’s office investigators worked diligently over the last few weeks confirming details, and collecting and analyzing evidence.
The investigation is ongoing.
