The Columbus Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested three local suspects last week following a joint investigation into numerous vehicle break-ins.
On Thursday, Jan. 27, Nicholas Wesley Jolley, 21, of Mill Spring, Charles Jessie Raines, 21, of Mill Spring and Justus Ian Burnett, 19, of Mill Spring were arrested on multiple charges related to the break-ins.

Jolley was charged with seven counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, six counts of misdemeanor larceny, two counts of felony attempting to obtain property by false pretenses, felony identity theft, felony financial card theft and felony conspiracy.
Raines was charged with seven counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, six counts of misdemeanor larceny, two counts of felony attempting to obtain property by false pretenses, felony identity theft, felony financial card theft, felony conspiracy, felony obtaining property by false pretenses, felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses and injury to personal property.
Burnett was charged with felony obtaining property by false pretenses and felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses.
Jolley and Raines were held in the Polk County Jail under a $20,000 secured bond. Their first court appearance was set for Jan. 28, according to officer Nicholas Stott of the Columbus Police Department.
Burnett’s first first court appearance was set for Feb. 2, Stott said.
Columbus Police Chief Chris Beddingfield said the incidents occurred on Jan. 15 in Columbus and Polk County. Investigators know of eight break-ins that occurred in the areas of Blanton Street, Peak Street and the Holly Hill subdivision. They said they believe several more break-ins occurred in the Garrett Road and Lake Adger areas of the county.
Items stolen included cameras, cell phones, GPS units, jewelry and purses that contained credit, debit, gift cards, loose change, CDs and cigarettes, according to investigators.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be pending, Beddingfield said. Investigators believe that additional vehicles were also broken into on Jan. 15 and have not yet been reported.
Investigators urge residents not to leave valuables in their cars and to always lock vehicles.
Anyone with information relating to this case is urged to contact the Columbus Police Department at 828- 894-5464 or the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 828-894-3001.