An early Sunday patrol on Highway 80 ended with Bulloch County deputies arresting two Florida men and recovering four stolen motorcycles from Statesboro Yamaha, according to law enforcement officials. Just after midnight, a white Toyota 4Runner pulling an enclosed U‑Haul trailer was stopped near Roberson Road, and investigators later found the stolen bikes inside. Both men were booked into the Bulloch County Jail on burglary charges.
According to the Statesboro Herald, Lt. Neil Casey and Cpl. Brian Nessmith reached the dealership in under a minute after an alarm activation and found signs of forced entry. Deputies quickly issued a lookout for any vehicle leaving the area. Brooklet police first stopped a speeding 4Runner and wrote a ticket, and Bulloch deputy John Michael Kearney later conducted a second stop. Investigator John Quattlebaum then obtained a search warrant for the trailer, where deputies say they uncovered the four stolen motorcycles.
Recovery, value and reaction
Authorities report the recovered motorcycles are worth more than $17,000. Statesboro Yamaha owner Doug Brown credited the quick work by local law enforcement, telling the Statesboro Herald, “It was great detective work.” Brown also said he believed the bikes were headed out of state to be sold at a fraction of their value.
Suspects and charges
Deputies identified the suspects as 26-year-old Howard Waters of Miami and 24-year-old Curtis Peters of Homestead, Florida. Both are facing burglary charges and were transported to the Bulloch County Jail. Chief Deputy Jared Akins told reporters the men have lengthy criminal histories in Miami, a detail investigators say helps frame the broader context of the case.
What the law says
Under Georgia law, burglary is defined as entering or remaining in a building, vehicle or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or theft, and it is a felony offense. The Georgia Code outlines sentencing ranges by degree, and second-degree burglary carries a one-to-five-year term for a first conviction, per Georgia Code § 16-7-1, as published by Justia.
How to help
Bulloch County deputies credited the swift patrol response and coordination with Brooklet police for the quick recovery and arrests. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact Investigator John Quattlebaum at (912) 764-1785 or submit an anonymous tip to [email protected].
