SCSO Announces Arrest in Convenience Store Break-In

One person is under arrest and a second person is sought in connection with this month’s burglary at a Stephens County convenience store.

On Tuesday, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 19-year-old Virginia Ruth Durand of Toccoa in connection with a break-in at the Royal Food Store on West Currahee Street in Toccoa during the early morning hours of May 3.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said that more than $3,200 in cash and merchandise was taken during the burglary, including “scratch off” lottery tickets.

Shirley said that following the burglary, investigators were able to track Durand as a result of evidence left at the scene and interviews that were conducted.

“We have been tracking from Rabun County all the way up to Dahlonega, where the person has some family members living there,” said Shirley. “We got with the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office investigators and they have been working closely with us.”

According to the sheriff, the suspect was able to disable the alarm that engaged when the break-in occurred.

He said that and other evidence found at the scene led the investigators to believe that the crime was committed by an employee or a former employee.

“She is a former employee of the Royal Food Store,” said Shirley. “We have not recovered any of the missing merchandise. However, there is another individual that is a suspect in the burglary that we have issued a warrant for.”

As for Durand, Shirley says she was charged with Burglary and at last report, was being held at the Stephens County Jail on a $10,000 bon