Man Sentenced For Nearly 20 Douglas County Burglaries

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A Douglas County man was sentenced to 15 year in prison for a string of almost 20 burglaries and attempted burglaries in the summer of 2014.

Oscar Garner was convicted on September 13 on 15 counts of residential burglary and sentenced by Superior Court Judge David T. Emerson last week.

His sentence was 20 years, with 15 to serve in prison.

During the months of June and July of 2014, there was a string of nearly 20 burglaries and attempted burglaries in the Anneewakee Trails neighborhood in southeast Douglas County.

A Douglas County Sheriff's Office investigation, which included overnight stakeouts and video surveillance, eventually lead to Garner, whose image was captured on a home surveillance camera and who was identified by children living in the neighborhood.

The majority of items reported stolen were small electronic devices, like laptops, tablets and cellphones, and clothing.

Garner was discovered to be living in the neighborhood, along with co-defendants Joshua James, Thaddeus Bradley and Tekia Smith, who was Garner's girlfriend at the time.

A search warrant was executed on July 12, 2014. When officers pulled up at the home, Garner saw them from his kitchen and ran out of a back door, leaving Smith and their small child at the residence.

Smith and the other co-defendants ultimately pleaded guilty, testifying to their involvement at Garner's trial.

Assistant district attorney Luana Nolen said the jury's decision "ensured justice for the victims who had their homes and their sense of safety violated, including children who were emotionally traumatized by the defendant's actions."

Photo courtesy Douglas County District Attorney's office