Centre Police have made an arrest in connection with a home invasion, which took place at the end of May.

According to Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship, Chief Investigator Randy Mayorga, who is assigned to the Cherokee County Major Crimes Unit, arrested 31 year old William Justin Tapp earlier this week, charging him with Burglary 2nd Degree and Assault 2nd Degree.

Tapp had broken into an occupied home where he was identified by the victim in the case.

Chief Blankenship stated that 9-1-1 was called after the attack took place and Centre Police Department Patrol units arrived and worked the scene. The case then went to Investigator Mayorga and Major Crimes Unit Director Josh Summerford .

Chief Blankenship told WEIS Radio News “I’m proud of the work that our investigators and police officers have been putting forward.   They truly go above and beyond to do their job, and they do it right, putting in a great deal of effort to serve our community and the citizens of Cherokee County.”; he added that Investigator Mayorga had been working on this case, following up on leads and gathering information, since day one. “During an investigation (any investigation) once information starts coming in, you can’t simply just lay it down for the next day and Investigator Mayorga followed that trail of information all the way to the conclusion of the case – conducting an excellent investigation.”

On Tuesday, Investigator Mayorga went to an address located in Sand Rock – which was a known location of William Justin Tapp. As Mayorga pulled up in the driveway to follow up on the case he observed someone from inside the home peeking through the door curtains.  At that point he contacted dispatch for other units to assist; meanwhile he cordoned off the area.  Once additional units arrived and entry was about to be made to the residence, Tapp came out and surrendered peacefully.

Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship would like to extend his appreciation to Centre Patrol Officer Daniel Wooten, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tim Hays, Deputy Keith Morgan and Leesburg Police Department Investigator Brian Gilliland for assistance in the case.

Tapp is currently being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center awaiting setting of bond.