Chattooga County authorities are still searching for the person, or persons, behind the rash of home break-in’s occurring across the area over the past few weeks.

The culprit came close to being caught earlier in the week, when a homeowner returned to his residence at around noon, to find his front door open; he then heard sounds from inside the home and spotted a while male fleeing out the back door.

Inside, the man found his 40” TV in the middle of the floor – which was apparently what the would-be burglar was after.

The Hays State Prison K-9 Unit was called into action, and they – along with Sheriff’s Office Deputies – searched areas along Saddle Club Road and Rocky Hollow Road without success

State Troopers also assisted.

Sheriff Mark Schrader said that he believes the burglar may be responsible for other break-in’s including one in which more than $8,000 worth of jewelry was taken and $1,200 worth of electronics had been taken or damaged.

Most of those break-in’s have occurred around mid-day, with the back door being kicked-in and TV’s and jewelry being targeted. Authorities say anyone noticing suspicious activity in their area should immediately contact law enforcement officials.

(The Summerville News/www.thesummervillenews.com)