Chattanooga man, 21, arrested on 7 burglary charges

Monday, August 8, 2011

photo William Stanford

A 21-year-old man has been charged with seven counts of burglary in connection with a string of break-ins on Levi Road in Hamilton County.

William Stanford has been charged with three counts of burglary, two counts of attempted burglary, one count of aggravated burglary and two counts each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Janice Atkinson, spokeswoman for the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

On Friday about 10 a.m., the sheriff's office received multiple reports of burglaries from homeowners along Levi Road, Atkinson said. Investigators later discovered that a burglary warrant for Stanford had been issued that morning for a break-in on nearby Barker Road, she said.

A deputy later spotted Stanford in the back of a car on Levi Road and stopped the vehicle for the outstanding burglary warrant. Marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found on Stanford at that time, Atkinson said.

As the investigation into the Levi Road burglaries continued, the victims' belongings were found around their homes and a backpack with Stanford's initials also was found, she said.

A search of Stanford's home turned up marijuana, drug paraphernalia, stolen property and cash, Atkinson said.

All property taken from the reported burglaries was returned to the owners, she said.