Arrests made in burglary near Utica

A Seneca man and woman remain in jail today as a
result of a burglary investigation conducted by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office yesterday
morning.
56 year old Richard J. Certain and 47 year old Tonya Denise Shook, both of Owens Road, were
booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 10:02am and 10:21am respectively
Tuesday. Both Certain and Shook have been charged with one count each of First Degree
Burglary and Petit Larceny. Certain has also been charged with having Burglary Tools in his
Possession.
Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Bureau responded to an address on Meadow Drive, which is
near the Utica Mill Hill, yesterday morning in reference to a burglary in progress call. After
arriving on scene, a Deputy made contact with Certain and Shook on the property and began an
investigation.
Based upon evidence that was gathered during the investigation, according to the sheriff’s office, it was determined that Certain
and Shook stole items, which included a pressure cooker and a hemostat, from the carport of the
residence and took them to the back of the property. Certain and Shook were placed under arrest
and transported to jail.
According to arrest warrants obtained by the Sheriff’s Office, the burglary occurred during the
nighttime hours.
During a bond hearing, Certain was given a combined $79,250.00 surety bond while Shook was
given a combined $77,125.00 surety bond during her bond hearing.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.