STEPHENS COUNTY, Ga. – A man accused of burglarizing a convenience store in Stephens County has been arrested after investigators identified him through public tips and recovered evidence linking him to the crime.

According to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and investigators responded around 6:30 a.m. on Monday, June 22, to a reported overnight burglary at a convenience store on Rock Creek Road in Toccoa. When deputies arrived, they found a broken window, scattered cash and other items throughout the business.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage, which showed a partially masked white male at the store around 11:48 p.m. on Sunday, June 21. Authorities said the suspect, wearing a red shirt, khaki pants and gloves, attempted to force open the front door with a sharp tool before leaving without gaining entry.

The suspect reportedly returned at approximately 2:45 a.m. Monday wearing a blue shirt. During the second visit, investigators said he used a sharp object to break into the store, stole various items and fled on foot toward Rock Creek Road.

On June 25, the sheriff’s office released a be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) alert seeking the public’s help identifying the suspect. Officials said multiple tips led investigators to identify the suspect as 30-year-old Jeremy Frank Scarborough of Elberton. Authorities also learned Scarborough had outstanding probation violation warrants from Elbert County.

At approximately 8:52 a.m. Monday, June 29, members of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit served warrants at Scarborough’s workplace on Broad Street in Toccoa. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Stephens County Detention Center.

Investigators also obtained a search warrant for a residence on Rumsey Avenue in Toccoa, where Scarborough had reportedly been living. Around 12:06 p.m. Monday, the Crime Suppression Unit executed the search warrant and recovered evidence from the residence and a vehicle on the property that investigators say links Scarborough to the burglary.

Scarborough remains jailed on charges of second-degree burglary, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, theft by taking and criminal damage to property. He is also being held on the outstanding Elbert County warrants and is awaiting a first appearance bond hearing before a Stephens County magistrate judge.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office thanked members of the public who submitted tips and shared the BOLO. Anyone with information about illegal activity in Stephens County is encouraged to contact the Criminal Investigation Division Tip Line at (706) 886-7048 or submit a tip through the sheriff’s office mobile app.