Two arrested for Westminster burglary and larceny

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested two Oconee County residents, one from Westminster and one from Walhalla, in an investigation of a burglary and larceny that occurred this past weekend. Deputies arrested and charged 31-year-old Joseph Augustus Stone of Westminster with two counts of second-degree burglary and two counts of grand larceny. Also charged was 28-year-old Christopher Glenn Carranza of Walhalla with one count of receiving stolen goods. According to the incident report, a deputy responded to an address on McGuffin Lane in Westminster Sunday evening in regards to a 4 wheeler on someone’s property. While on scene, the owner of the 4 wheeler, who lives at an address on Doyle Street, pulled up to the McGuffin Lane address and claimed ownership of the 4 wheeler. The deputy proceeded to the Doyle Street address where he was informed that other property was missing as well. The case was turned over to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Stone had burglarized a building at the Doyle Street property on two separate occasions and made off with several items. During one break-in, Stone is accused of stealing a Yamaha Bear 400 4-wheeler. During the second break-in, Stone is accused of taking several items, including a Polaris Ranger. The break-ins occurred sometime between 6pm on July 12 and 9pm on July 13. Also during the course of the investigation, it was determined on July 14 that Carranza had in his possession at the Twin Hill Drive address some of the items that were taken knowing that they were stolen. Stone was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 1:49pm on July 14. He is still being held at the Detention Center on a $90,000 surety bond. Carranza was also booked at the Detention Center on July 14 around 2:27pm. He was released on a $15,000 personal recognizance bond. Investigators report that a majority of the items stolen have been recovered. The value of all the items that were taken is around $23,000, according to investigators.