By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
2 arrests made in burglaries near GSU
Deputies capture men Sunday, find stolen items
KIM DONG HYOK
Dong Hyok Kim - photo by Special
    Bulloch County Sheriff's deputies arrested two men Sunday they say are responsible for at least some of the many recent apartment break-ins near the Georgia Southern University area.
    Dong Hyok Kim, 23, Woodlands Apartments, and Clayton Powell Adams, 21, O'Neal Drive, were each charged with three counts of burglary, with further charges pending, said Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson.
    Kim was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and illegal possession of Xanax (alprazolam) with intent to distribute, he said.
    The two were captured after a witness, who had just spoken with sheriff's deputies patrolling the area, saw them breaking into a neighbor's apartment at The Landings subdivision, he said.
    In light of the extremely large number of residential burglaries in neighborhoods and apartment complexes populated mainly by college students, Bulloch County Sheriff's deputies and Statesboro Police officers have stepped up patrols during the holidays, Anderson said.
    Statesboro Police Chief Stan York has warned residents, especially those living in apartment complexes who planned trips out of town during the holidays, to be especially careful and take valuables with them if possible. Burglaries have skyrocketed since Thanksgiving, when many students left for the holiday, and the Christmas season is expected to see more of the same, he said.
    The residential burglaries aren't just taking place in the city, Anderson said. There have been a number of recent break-ins in apartment complexes outside of the city limits, but which still have a large percentage of college student tenants, he said.
    Deputies increased patrol in the areas of Planters Row, The Landings Apartments, Langley Pond subdivision, and Burkhalter Plantation, he said. While on patrol, deputies have been speaking with residents and asking them to report any suspicious activity.
    Sunday night, Inv. Jason Long, Cpl. Dusty Williams, Lt. Bobby Durden and Dep. Doug Harrell were patrolling in the area around 10:45 p.m. when witnesses saw a suspicious silver BMW in the Landings neighborhood. When the car backed into a neighboring drive, the witness saw two men break into the home and called the Bulloch County Sheriff's Department, Anderson said.
    In less than a minute Long and the others apprehended Kim and Adams, finding a large quantity of suspected stolen goods in  the car, including electronics, hunting equipment, clothing, " buckets of change," a TV and more, he said.
    A search of both men's homes revealed more suspected stolen items, he said. Several items were recovered, and the car, which Kim was driving, was towed to the impound yard, he said.
    Kim and Adams are both being held without bond in the Bulloch County Jail, according to jail records. Additional charges, including possible charges from other law enforcement agencies, are possible pending further investigation, Anderson said.
    While burglaries can happen to anyone, Anderson said deputies on patrol discovered a number of unlocked doors and windows. Locking your home, locking valuables in a safe or taking them with you if you are going out of town is good advice, he said.
    Anyone with information about recent burglaries in the area is asked to contact Inv. Jason Long at 764-8888.
    Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at 489-9414.

Sign up for the Herald's free e-newsletter