The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Piedmont man Friday (Aug. 14) on multiple charges related to a burglary and larceny in Oconee County last Saturday, (Aug 8). Nicholas Blake Garland, 21, of Family Circle in Piedmont was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 12:20 am Friday morning.
The incident occurred at the home of the parents of a Seneca teen who was shot by a Seneca Police Lieutenant during an undercover drug operation July 26. The shooting has attracted national media attention and Federal authorities have launched a civil rights investigation into the 19-year-old man’s death.
According to reports, a deputy from the Uniform Patrol Division responded to an address on Echota Trail Saturday morning (Aug. 8) regarding a burglary that had occurred.
As the investigation into the break-in continued and evidence was collected, it was determined that the subject had broken into the residence as well as a vehicle on the property as well. Among the items taken were electronic items, sunglasses and a flashlight.
Based upon the investigation, deputies obtained warrants against Garland on two counts of Petit Larceny, one county of Breaking into a Motor Vehicle and one count of Second Degree Burglary.
Garland was in custody at the Detention Center on a combined $39,000 surety bond.