Two suspects responsible for several residential burglaries in north Effingham County are in jail after a two-week long investigation conducted by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.

Joseph Brant, 35, and Edward Brant, 31, both of Rincon, were charged with five counts of burglary Wednesday. Investigators said the suspects forced their way into several homes in northern Effingham County and took several items, including jewelry and electronics.

“They may be tied into several burglaries,” said Effingham Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie.

Sheriff McDuffie said Effingham deputies are working with the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office as the Brants are suspects in burglaries there.

“It’s an ongoing investigation,” he said. “Right now, we have them on five residential burglaries and we believe they may be responsible for more. We’re trying to piece together how many more they are responsible for.”

Investigators believe the Brants sold the gold they are accused of taking in the burglaries to local gold buyers.

Additional charges are pending in both Bulloch and Effingham counties.

In a separate case, an neighbor spotted what was believed to be a suspicious car and called Effingham deputies.

On Monday afternoon, deputies responded to a call about a residential burglary attempt in Westwood Heights. The homeowner came home to find her door kicked in and several items missing, according to ECSO reports. A neighbor saw what was believed to be a suspicious vehicle and wrote down the license plate number, giving that information to investigators.

Deputies eventually arrested Christopher Hatton, 21, and charged him with burglary.

“We encourage everyone to contact the sheriff’s office if they see or hear anything suspicious,” McDuffie said.