Police said they arrested a man Friday, hours after he stuffed an elderly man into a car trunk while he burglarized the man's home.

Damien Tremain Reese, 31, of South Main Street, was jailed on charges of kidnapping, armed robbery, burglary and aggravated assault, Statesboro Public Safety Director Wendell Turner said.

Around 6 a.m. Friday, a 72-year-old man interrupted an unknown suspect burglarizing his South Main Street home.
The offender, later identified as Reese, "then pointed a handgun at the victim and forced the victim into the trunk of his own vehicle," Turner said. The suspect "continued to burglarize the residence and then drove the victim's vehicle to an ATM with the victim still inside the trunk."

When the robber was unsuccessful in getting money from the victim's account, he "then drove back to the victim's residence, leaving the victim in the trunk of the vehicle," Turner said.

The victim waited until he believed the suspect had left before using the emergency trunk release to escape the vehicle, Turner said. Then the victim, who was not injured, called police from a nearby business in case the robber was still in his home, Turner said.

Police officers escorted the man back to his home, where he gave a description of the suspect. Police searched the area and spoke with several neighbors but were unable to locate the offender at the time, he said.

The victim reported the theft of two TVs, a laptop computer, two handguns, a mobile phone and other items. The case was turned over to Detective Kevin Wadley.
Further investigation led to Reese's being identified, and he was arrested in Claxton around 3:21 p.m. Friday by Statesboro Police Officer Travis Smallegan and the department's Crime Suppression Unit, Turner said.

Several items were found on Reese's person linking him to the crimes, he said. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.

"I am very proud of the excellent police work done on this case by the Patrol Bureau and Investigative Bureau," Turner said.

Reese was taken to the Bulloch County Jail, where he awaits bond and court hearings.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Wadley at (912) 764-9911.

Anonymous tips may be submitted online at www.tipsoft.com or by sending a text message beginning with "TIPSSPD" to 274637 (CRIMES). All information is strictly confidential, Turner said.

Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.