Three in Chattooga County arrested for theft of services

Three Chattooga County residents charged with theft of services (power) following investigation into fire that destroyed their home.

On February 24th investigators with the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office assisted with the arrest of Jonathan Stricklin, 47, Jimmy Stricklin Jr., 54, and Janice Stricklin, 78. They are accused of illegally obtaining power for their residence, causing a fire to break out on Feb. 8. All three face one count of Theft of Services.

“The home, located at 169 Wild Life Lake Road in Summerville, was destroyed by the blaze, which started as a direct result of the illegal connection of the utility,” said Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King. “Money in the sum of $7,694.57 was allegedly 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 10 years.”

The suspects were booked into the Chattooga County Detention Center. Janice Stricklin has posted bond but Jimmy Stricklin Jr. and Jonathan Stricklin remain incarcerated. The three arrests brings the total number of individuals arrested with the assistance of the Fire Investigations Unit in 2020 to18.

The commissioner’s Fire Investigations Unit assisted the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.

Press Release from INSURANCE AND SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER