This week, the Summerville Police Department has announced an arrest following an investigation into burglaries and thefts dating back to August. Terry Stallings, 51, of Summerville, was taken into custody on August 28 and faces charges of Burglary 2nd Degree and Theft by Taking (3rd or Subsequent) Felony.

The investigation began on August 26, when Officer Matt Kinnamont identified a male subject, later confirmed as Terry Stallings, on security camera footage. The footage showed Stallings allegedly stealing a rake and a roll of duct tape from a residence at 5 North Washington Street.

Two days later, on August 28, Summerville Police received a call from Officer Wentz, who reported that Terry Stallings had contacted 911 expressing a desire to speak with authorities. Detective Phillip Cox and Chief Brian Ozment subsequently met with Stallings at his residence on 361 Fourth Street.

During the interview, after being read his Miranda Warning, Stallings initially denied taking anything from the North Washington Street address. However, his story evolved, eventually admitting to taking a “little tape” before confessing to taking the entire roll of grey duct tape. He claimed he was “going to take it back” and displayed the tape, which he had wrapped around his lawnmower steering wheel.

Stallings also gave conflicting accounts regarding the stolen rake. He initially denied any involvement, stating he didn’t own a rake and “didn’t bother no rake.” Later, he claimed someone had given him a rake, then that he had borrowed it, and eventually admitted to walking to the victim’s house with the rake and his gas jug.

The police accompanied Stallings to 121 Espy Street, where he indicated he had left the rake after a recent yard job. Detective Cox located a rake in the backyard of the property, which matched the description of the stolen item. The rake was photographed and collected as evidence.

Cheri Butler, the victim at 5 North Washington Street, provided police with surveillance video that clearly depicted Stallings on her carport, looking around “as if he were shopping” and taking the items without knocking. Butler also informed police that several other items had gone missing recently, and she had previously caught Stallings stealing a can of Fix-A-Flat from her carport.

Following the interview and the recovery of the stolen items, Terry Stallings was transported to the Chattooga County Jail. He has been formally charged with Burglary 2nd Degree and Theft by Taking (3rd or Subsequent), indicating previous theft convictions. Detective Cox led the investigation.