One Arrested in Pawn Shop Burglary

One person faces charges after a burglary last month at an area pawn shop.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said that on July 21, deputies from his office were called to a pawn shop in Eastanollee in reference to a reported burglary.

“Deputies were called by the owner of the pawn shop very early in the morning hours when he discovered that the pawn shop had been burglarized,” said Shirley. “Deputies immediately called for the on-call investigator. They noticed that some firearms, some long guns, and handguns had been stolen.”

Altogether, 16 firearms, two tablet computers, and a small amount of jewelry was taken from the pawn shop.

Shirley said his Criminal Investigative Division worked on the case with the assistance of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

“We were able to gather significant evidence at the scene, as well as evidence, the recovery of four firearms that were hidden in the woods, along with some evidence that belonged to an individual that was later arrested,” said Shirley.

That individual was 20-year-old Joshua Lafarr Arthur of Toccoa.

Shirley said that investigators made contact with Arthur at his home on Howard Road and while talking with him, found a small amount of marijuana along with a pair of shoes matching the size and description of those worn by the individual that committed the burglary.

According to the sheriff, Arthur was arrested and charged with Burglary, Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and a Probation Violation.

He also said that the investigation is continuing.

“There was a previous burglary there that was identical to this burglary as the other store on the south end of the pawn shop had been forced open the exact same way this one had been forced open,” said Shirley.

The sheriff said Arthur was taken to the Stephens County Detention Center, where at last report, he was awaiting a bond on all charges with the exception of the Probation Violation.