SCSO Arrests Two In Burglary

Two people face charges in connection to the investigation of a burglary in Stephens County.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said that his office has arrested 33-year-old Michael Nick Mize of McMurray Lake Road and 53-year-old Dillard Eugene Savage of Coker Road in connection to the alleged burglary on January 6 on McMurray Lake Road.

According to the sheriff, the burglary victim said that after returning from a weekend trip, they noticed that their home had been burglarized and discovered that two semi-automatic pistols, several electronic devices, and jewelry had been taken from the residence.

Shirley said investigators were able to identify a possible suspect as well as his location and as a result went to Savage’s Coker Road residence.

“Investigators asked Savage if Mize, the suspect, had been there at the residence and he stated he had but had left about 20 minutes prior to them (deputies) getting there,” said Shirley.

The sheriff said that at that point, authorities asked for and were given permission to search Savage’s residence.

“They went in and were able to identify some of the property, such as a laptop, a radio, jewelry, and they also recovered two firearms while they were in the residence that Savage had earlier denied having,” said Shirley. “As they looked further into the house, they found Mr. Mize hiding in the bathtub.”

Shirley said investigators were able to recover over $4,400 in stolen property that was identified and returned to his rightful owner.

He said Mize was charged with Burglary in the First Degree and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Bond for Mize is $25,000 and at last report, Mize was in the Stephens County Jail.

Meanwhile, the sheriff said Savage was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, False Statements, and Obstruction of an Officer.

Savage was released earlier this week on a $16,000 bond.