Three Arrested in Thefts at Local Wal-marts

In Habersham County, three people are behind bars after a special drug investigation led authorities to discover a cache of stolen property, money, and drugs.

According to a report on Access North Georgia, Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell said search warrants were served Tuesday in Baldwin as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

Terrell said his deputies, along with Mountains Circuit Narcotics Criminal Investigation and Suppression (NCIS) Team, Toccoa Police, a  K-9 Unit, and Cornelia Police uncovered and seized approximately $7,000 in property stolen from the the Toccoa and Cornelia Walmarts, as well as small amount of marijuana, 44 grams of methamphetamine with a street value of $10,500 – and $1,800.00 in cash.

Arrested were:

• 42-year old Benjamin Joel Heard, of Baldwin.

He’s charged with possession of Schedule II drugs with intent to distribute, and theft by receiving.

• 43-year old Rickey Joe Land, of Baldwin.

He’s charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, theft by receiving, and possession of a Schedule II drug.

• And 36-year old Heather Christine Bain of Cleveland.

Bain is charged with trafficking methamphetamine, and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.

All three are in the Habersham County jail.  Terrell said the investigation is continuing.