Two Effingham men were arrested Monday evening in connection with two recent vehicle burglaries.
According to a press release from the Effingham Police Department, on Monday, May 22nd officers were dispatched to two separate reports of vehicle burglaries that occurred in the 1900 block of South Banker St. Upon arrival on scene of the first reported burglary, officers discovered a van that had been burglarized overnight. Taken was DJ equipment and CDs in the amount of approximately $4,545. Officers then arrived on scene to the second reported burglary and discovered that multiple power tools were taken from a work truck over the weekend. The tools are valued at $1,400. While canvassing the area, officers recovered some of the power tools.
Later Monday afternoon, officers were informed that a local church had purchased DJ equipment and they believed that the equipment was stolen. Officers then determined that this was the same DJ equipment. Officers conducted interviews and discovered two suspects. They also learned that a van that was owned by the church was used by a suspect for storage. Officers then discovered the stolen power tools in the van.
Officers arrested the two suspects, 47 year old, Richard A. Griffin, and 32 year old, Michael L. Brown, both of Effingham later that evening. Griffin is being charged with two counts of Burglary and Theft, a Class 3 and 4 Felony, respectively. Brown is being charged with the Class 4 Felony of Possession of Stolen Property.
Effingham Police Chief Fuesting stated, “We will not tolerate criminal activity, and will continue to act swiftly and tirelessly to follow leads and make arrests so that the citizens of Effingham can enjoy a safe environment to live, work, and raise their children”.
(Pictured: Richard Griffin and Michael Brown. Photos courtesy of the Effingham County Jail)