Two Hall County men are facing charges after they stole items from a warehouse at JWA Rentals on Oakbrook Drive in Gainesville, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
HCSO NARRATIVE:
“David Wayne Burns, 50, of Flowery Branch, and Robert Lawrence Stoddard, 48, of Gainesville, each face charges of theft by taking and entering an automobile.
In the early morning hours of January 5…Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies responded to the business to investigate what a 911 caller described as suspicious activity. When they entered the warehouse, deputies found a Chevrolet Silverado parked inside. The back window of the vehicle had been broken. The business manager arrived at the scene and was able to identify multiple items missing from the business, including marine equipment, computers and power tools.
HCSO property crimes investigators arrived to begin an investigation into the incident and determined Burns, an employee of the business, had been living in the warehouse because he was homeless, and he had easy access to the building. They also learned Burns could be on the way to sell the stolen items at a scrapyard in Dawson County. Around 10:30 a.m., Dawson County Sheriff’s Office deputies located Burns and Stoddard in a vehicle traveling on Campground Road and Highway 9. They conducted a traffic stop. Both suspects were taken into custody.
At this time, Burns has been charged with felony entering auto and one felony count of theft by taking for the…theft. In addition, he faces three (3) counts of misdemeanor theft by taking for incidents that occurred at JWA Rentals in November…. In the November incidents, Burns is accused of stealing tools and marine testing equipment.
Stoddard has been charged with felony entering auto and one felony count of theft by taking for the (theft that occurred a few days ago).
Both men remained in the Hall County Jail at last check.”