Effingham County Sheriff’s deputies arrested seven people, seizing an illegal firearm, drugs and ski masks Monday afternoon.

A call to 911 on suspicious activity in front of a vacant residence in the Oakton Drive area of Springfield alerted deputies, who were on patrol in nearby neighborhoods. Deputies were on the scene in less than three minutes.

After searching a suspicious vehicle, deputies discovered a sawed-off shotgun, ski masks, gloves and ammunition.

Ronald Elijah Williams, 20, of Rincon, was charged with possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, loitering and prowling. Patrick Ryan Donaldson, 19, of Rincon, was charged with possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, possession of marijuana, loitering and prowling.

Tobious Kawan Jones, 17, of Springfield, has been charged with possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, loitering and prowling.

Kevin Mitchell Hounshell, 17, of Springfield, and Jeremy Razook, 17, of Guyton, were charged with loitering and prowling.

All five are in custody at the Effingham County Jail.

Two juveniles, one 15 and one 16, were charged with the possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, loitering and prowling. The two juveniles were taken to the Claxton Youth Detention Center.

“This is a good example of the public working with law enforcement to get criminals off the streets,” said Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie.

Investigators have not determined if those arrested are responsible for any of the string of burglaries that took place in the northern end of the county last week and later in the southern end.

“But we believe we stopped something before it got started,” said Detective David Ehsanipoor.

ECSO deputies will be in contact with other law enforcement agencies to see if those they arrested match the descriptions of suspects in other area crimes. Because of the sawed-off shotgun discovered, deputies also will be in touch with federal firearms agents.

“Firearms charges are serious charges,” Ehsanipoor said.