Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell reports that an arrest by the department last week cleared almost two dozen entering auto cases and led to the recovery of $8,519 in stolen property.
Bruce Clement Bratten Jr., 19, of Toccoa was arrested at 2:30 a.m. Feb. 26 after he and a juvenile were spotted by a resident on Curtis Street acting suspiciously.
When officers made contact with Bratten, he was in possession of a concealed weapon.
Officers also determined a nearby vehicle had been broken into.
Bratten remains in the Stephens County Jail charged with two counts of burglary, 21 counts of entering an auto, one count of identity fraud, one count of possession of firearm during the commission of a felony, two counts of shoplifting, and one count of carrying concealed weapon.
He is being held on $88,000 bond as of Wednesday afternoon.
Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues, Jarrell reports.
Toccoa Police Department Detective Division would like to hear from anyone whose vehicle was broken into inside the city of Toccoa over the previous 10 months. Those victims should call (706) 282-3244.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/3/271995