GREENE COUNTY
A 17-year-old living with his grandmother in Greensboro was arrested in connection with a rash of vehicle break-ins and thefts in the Reynolds-Lake Oconee area on Jan. 12.
Malik Rishard Edwards, 17, is being charged with seven counts of entering an automobile or other motor vehicle with intent to commit theft, according to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
Reports say Sgt. Joshua Wilson was assigned to an entering auto case that occurred at a Starboard Drive address. The complainant said someone had stolen a set of air pods from his truck and another set from his wife’s SUV.
However, the complainant was able to track the location of the air pods and told Wilson the stolen items might be found at an Adrian Drive address in Greensboro.
Wilson then went to the address and knocked on the door of the home.
According to the report, an elderly female answered the door. The elderly female was surprised to find a law enforcement officer at her door and asked Wilson what was going on.
Wilson explained that he was investigating a theft and wanted to know who else was inside the home. She told Wilson that her two grandsons were inside and went to get them.
According to Wilson’s account, both grandsons came to the door. The first said he didn’t know anything about a theft the night before and that he had not left the home on the previous day.
The grandmother confirmed his statement.
Malik Edwards, the second grandson also said that he did not leave the house the night before.
However, Wilson would learn Edwards left the night before and went to his great-grandmother’s home “around the corner.”
Wilson also learned that Edwards had been involved with the police and that he was sent to the Greensboro home from Athens due to legal trouble and being kicked out of school.
The grandmother then consented to a search of the home. Wilson searched the room Edwards occupied.
According to the report, Edwards assisted in the search and “even went so far as to ask to use Wilson’s light to look for the air pods." Edwards looked under a black couch and handed Wilson a pair of air pods that had the complainant’s name written on the front.
The report said that Edwards refused to reveal any more information once he was arrested and read his Miranda warning. Edwards was transported to the Greene County Jail by Deputy Christian Hall.
Based on the circumstances, Wilson believed other stolen items might still be inside the Adrian Drive residence.
Earlier in the day, the GCSO investigated the theft of two firearms, including a black .380 Bersa Thunder Pistol stolen from a vehicle at a Legend Drive address and another handgun stolen from a vehicle at Landing Drive, the night before.
Wilson obtained a search warrant for the Adrian Street residence and went back to the location to conduct another search.
Upon arrival at the home, Wilson made contact with several occupants, and it was explained to them what was going on.
During the search, Wilson found the black Bersa .380 and another firearm believed to be the one stolen from Landing Drive. Both firearms were under the black sofa.
Deputies also located a thermal imaging gun scope outside in an abandoned truck directly next to the home and then found a stolen debit card that had been taken in an entering auto incident that occurred in Greensboro.
Wilson and Deputy Jonathan Franco responded to Landing Drive regarding another reported theft and were told by the complainant that someone had rummaged through her car and taken a medium-sized bag. This bag was found down the road on the sidewalk a short time later.
A Ring camera showed two males walking in front of their home around 4 a.m. One male wore all black and the second male was in a grey hoody and black pants. The video was entered into evidence.
Later that afternoon, Franco responded to a McInteer Circle address regarding yet another vehicle break-in. No items were reported stolen in that incident.