A quick response by law enforcement led to the rapid arrest of a Summerville man who allegedly attempted to sell a stolen firearm at a local convenience store just hours after committing a residential burglary.
Eric O’Brian Burke, 29, of Chattooga County, was apprehended late Thursday night, October 17, 2025, after a joint effort between the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office and the Summerville Police Department. Burke faces multiple felony charges, including First Degree Burglary and Theft by Taking.
The Burglary Report
The incident began earlier on Thursday when Deputy A. Garmany responded to a report of a forced-entry burglary at the residence of Steven Wigley.
According to the police narrative (Case No. 2025-10-35891), Mr. Wigley reported returning home to find his front door damaged. While initially believing the door was kicked in, Deputy Garmany observed clear pry marks above the padlock, indicating a tool had been used. Further inspection revealed damage to the rear screen door as well.
Mr. Wigley confirmed that only two items appeared to be missing: a gun cleaning kit and a distinctive silver-plated Taurus .38 special revolver with a brown wooden handle and a noticeable crack at the hammer.
Suspect Attempting to Sell Weapon
Later that night, at approximately 11:23 p.m., deputies monitoring radio traffic overheard a call dispatched to the Summerville Police Department regarding a suspicious male subject at the Circle K located at 650 Highway 114. The subject, later identified as Eric Burke, was allegedly attempting to sell a firearm or buy ammunition from customers.
Recognizing the close time proximity to the reported burglary involving a stolen handgun, Deputies A. Garmany, J. Roberts, and J. Reynolds responded to the scene, coordinating with Summerville Police Officers J. Pledger and T. Sainthill.
Upon making contact with Burke, Deputy Garmany questioned him about how he acquired the weapon. Burke initially claimed he had picked up a friend, Levi Ragland (who is currently incarcerated), and that Ragland had confessed to breaking into a house and stealing the gun. Burke offered several conflicting stories throughout the encounter regarding where he dropped the supposed friend off, changing the location from Trion’s Mt. Vernon area to a skating rink, and finally to the Trion Triangle.
Evidence Links Suspect to Crime Scene
Officers quickly identified the weapon Burke possessed. The firearm was a Taurus .38 Special revolver matching the exact description provided by the victim: silver plated with a brown wooden handle and the specific crack near the hammer.
A subsequent search of Burke’s vehicle, conducted with the suspect’s permission, yielded further evidence. Officers discovered a metal bar located near the back passenger seat. According to the report, the bar had fresh white paint markings, consistent with the tool used to pry open the victim’s white doors.
Witnesses at the Circle K confirmed that Burke had approached them, first asking if they wanted to buy a gun, and then asking if they had any bullets for the firearm.
Burke was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with:
- Burglary First Degree
- Theft by Taking
- Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime
Burke was transported to the Chattooga County Jail without incident. His vehicle was released to his mother, who arrived on the scene. All events surrounding the apprehension and arrest were captured on the body-worn cameras (BWC) of the officers and deputies present
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