Effingham County sheriff’s deputies arrested four teenagers in connection with a series of auto break-ins, Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie announced Thursday.

Taken into custody were Richard Cody Kessler, 18, of Rincon; Austin Edward Thomas, 17, of Guyton; Joseph William Wilson, 17, of Rincon; and David Andrew Christian, 19, of Rincon.

Kessler, Thomas, Wilson and Christian are charged with entering an automobile with the intent to commit a theft or felony, conspiracy to commit a crime and criminal attempt. All four are incarcerated in the Effingham County Jail and have been bound over to Superior Court.

McDuffie said two juveniles, ages 15 and 16, 19-year-old Cody Steven Richards of Rincon and Adam William Sasser, 17, of Rincon, were arrested for obstruction by fleeing when ECSO investigators executed a search warrant Wednesday afternoon.

Sasser and Richards were also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. McDuffie stated that the juveniles were released back to a parent.

McDuffie said that this group is responsible for approximately 47 entering automobile cases over the last several months in subdivisions in Effingham County. He said that iPod, DVD, compact disc and electronic devices were removed from automobiles and were sold to other individuals or pawned.   

McDuffie reminded those who have received items from these individuals that some items stolen have serial numbers entered into the National Crime Information Center as stolen. Possession of that item may lead to a prosecution for theft by receiving stolen property. If you have received any items from these individuals you can drop it off with Capt. Mike Bohannon or school officials. Capt Bohannon may be reached at 754-3449.