The Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office assisted with the arrest of a trio in Chattooga County accused of illegally obtaining power for the residence, which caused a fire to break out on February 8th. Jonathan Stricklin (age 47), Jimmy Stricklin Jr. (age 54), and Janice Stricklin (age 78) have each been charged with one county of Theft of Services, according to a release from the Commissioner’s office.
John F. King, Georgia’s Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, says, “The home, located at 169 Wild Life Lake Road in Summerville, was completely destroyed by the blaze, which started as a direct result of illegal connection of the utility. Money in the sum of $7,694.57 was alledgedly stolen from the power company. Stealing power is not only an incredibly dangerous practice; it is a felony charge that brings a prison sentence of one to ten years.”
The three individuals were each booked into the Chattooga County Detention Center. Janice Stricklin has posted bond, but Jimmy Stricklin Jr and Jonathan Stricklin remain incarcerated.
The Commissioner’s Fire Investigations Unit assisted the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.