The recent arrest of two men finalized a months-long roundup of seven suspects investigators said were part of a burglary ring that stole copper and other items, said Bulloch County Sheriff's Capt. Todd Hutchens.
The ring is responsible for several incidents since late 2007, including the burglaries at the old Grinnell plant on Clito Road, where they removed copper, he said. Others stole additional items, including a golf cart, and tried stealing a four-wheeler, he said.
One of the victims was a 79-year-old man, which resulted in several suspects being charged with exploitation of the elderly, he said.
Richard Lloyd Kicklighter, 17, Touissaint Avenue, Savannah, is charged with six counts of burglary, theft by taking firearm, theft by taking motor vehicle, and "abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly or disabled persons," Hutchens said. Kicklighter is being held on a $15,000 bond at the Bulloch County Jail.
Richard Lewis Kicklighter, 38, also of Touissant Avenue, Savannah, is being held at the Bulloch County Jail on a $10,000 bond and also has a "probation hold out of Augusta," he said. The elder Kicklighter is charged with one count of burglary, theft by taking firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly or disabled persons.
Patrick Shaw, 25, Rincon, was arrested Jan. 28 and is out on a $3,000 bond, Hutchens said. Shaw was charged with giving false information and obstruction. So is a woman living with him - April Jones, 24, who is also charged with giving false information and obstruction.
Hutchens said the two spoke with Bulloch County Sheriff's Investigator Bill Black, who is handling the case, and gave him untrue information about the thefts and the other suspects.
Three other suspects remain in the Bryan County Jail on similar charges to those they have in Bulloch County, he said.
Kay Michelle Peavey, 37, Ellabell, faces four counts of burglary in Bulloch County, and Liberty County has a detainer on her as well for similar charges, he said.
A man with whom she lived, Randall Joey Futch, 46, also of Ellabell, is also in Bryan County Jail with detainers from Bulloch and Liberty counties. Futch faces the following charges in Bulloch County: six counts of burglary, motor vehicle theft, felony theft by taking, theft by taking firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly or disabled persons.
William Roger Rucker, 40, Ellabell, was also arrested in connection with the ring. Also in jail in Bryan County and having holds from Bulloch and Liberty, he is charged with six counts of burglary, theft by taking firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly or disabled persons, he said.
Black has been investigating the case since late 2007, and by arresting the seven, has "cleared up 10 felony thefts and burglaries regarding this group of people," Hutchens said. "We rounded up all we felt were involved."
The ring is responsible for several incidents since late 2007, including the burglaries at the old Grinnell plant on Clito Road, where they removed copper, he said. Others stole additional items, including a golf cart, and tried stealing a four-wheeler, he said.
One of the victims was a 79-year-old man, which resulted in several suspects being charged with exploitation of the elderly, he said.
Richard Lloyd Kicklighter, 17, Touissaint Avenue, Savannah, is charged with six counts of burglary, theft by taking firearm, theft by taking motor vehicle, and "abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly or disabled persons," Hutchens said. Kicklighter is being held on a $15,000 bond at the Bulloch County Jail.
Richard Lewis Kicklighter, 38, also of Touissant Avenue, Savannah, is being held at the Bulloch County Jail on a $10,000 bond and also has a "probation hold out of Augusta," he said. The elder Kicklighter is charged with one count of burglary, theft by taking firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly or disabled persons.
Patrick Shaw, 25, Rincon, was arrested Jan. 28 and is out on a $3,000 bond, Hutchens said. Shaw was charged with giving false information and obstruction. So is a woman living with him - April Jones, 24, who is also charged with giving false information and obstruction.
Hutchens said the two spoke with Bulloch County Sheriff's Investigator Bill Black, who is handling the case, and gave him untrue information about the thefts and the other suspects.
Three other suspects remain in the Bryan County Jail on similar charges to those they have in Bulloch County, he said.
Kay Michelle Peavey, 37, Ellabell, faces four counts of burglary in Bulloch County, and Liberty County has a detainer on her as well for similar charges, he said.
A man with whom she lived, Randall Joey Futch, 46, also of Ellabell, is also in Bryan County Jail with detainers from Bulloch and Liberty counties. Futch faces the following charges in Bulloch County: six counts of burglary, motor vehicle theft, felony theft by taking, theft by taking firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly or disabled persons.
William Roger Rucker, 40, Ellabell, was also arrested in connection with the ring. Also in jail in Bryan County and having holds from Bulloch and Liberty, he is charged with six counts of burglary, theft by taking firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly or disabled persons, he said.
Black has been investigating the case since late 2007, and by arresting the seven, has "cleared up 10 felony thefts and burglaries regarding this group of people," Hutchens said. "We rounded up all we felt were involved."