Effingham County Sheriff’s investigators have arrested a serial burglar who has been linked to several home break-ins in north Effingham County.

In April 2009 deputies investigated nearly a dozen incidents where homes were broken into and ransacked, and items such as firearms, jewelry and electronics were taken.

On Thursday, investigators charged Herman Dessasure, 26, of Garnett, S.C., with eight counts of residential burglary. Effingham County investigators have conducted a year-long probe in conjunction with Jasper County Sheriff’s Office investigators into these crimes.

DNA evidence, along with information received from sources, led to Dessasure as a suspect. During the course of the investigation, investigators recovered several of the firearms taken from the burglaries.

The investigation is ongoing and may lead to additional charges and the recovery of other stolen property, said Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie.

Dessasure is currently being held in the Chatham County Jail on unrelated charges.