A thorough search for Garland Sims Warren, who was reported missing from Laurens County, remains ongoing, despite several clues law enforcement officers are following to try to locate him.
🚔 The Details: On Friday, June 21, Spalding County Deputies received a Flock camera notification regarding a missing person from Laurens County. Within minutes, a deputy located Warren’s vehicle behind the Dollar General at 3430 Jackson Road. Despite a swift response involving deputies, investigators, and Laurens County Sheriff Larry Dean, initial efforts near the store did not yield any clues.
🕵️ Search Efforts Intensified:
- The search expanded to a larger area, utilizing Spalding County Sheriff’s Office’s STAR helicopter, firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs, and specialized K-9 units.
- Investigators reviewed video footage and conducted door-to-door inquiries, requesting residents to check home cameras for any signs of Warren.
🚨 By The Numbers:
- 7 minutes after the Flock alert, the vehicle was located.
- Two individuals, Robert Earnest Peppers (62) and Kelly Gail Osborn (56), admitted to moving Warren’s vehicle.
- Two search warrants executed, leading to the recovery of items from Warren’s vehicle.
🔍 Investigation Insights:
Peppers and Osborn were interviewed late Saturday night. Peppers confessed to driving Warren’s vehicle to the Dollar General, and Osborn admitted to following and picking him up afterward. This led to a broader search, during which a piece of mail belonging to Warren was found.
Items from Warren’s vehicle were also recovered after executing a second search warrant. Both Peppers and Osborn are in custody, charged with theft by receiving stolen property, and are being further questioned about their involvement.
📢 Why It Matters: The community’s safety and well-being are paramount. Finding Garland Sims Warren is critical, not just for his family’s peace of mind, but also for ensuring that those responsible for any wrongdoing are held accountable.
📞 What You Can Do:
If you have any information, video footage, or leads, please contact:
- Lt. Jeff Smith or Sgt. A.J. Hammond at the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office at 770-467-4282
- Laurens County Sheriff’s Office at 478-272-1522
- Spalding County 911 Center at 770-229-9911.
The Quote: “I have said many times before, when an investigation is being conducted we just can’t blurt out everything we know or do a minute-by-minute update. Cases are often slow to develop, and other times information pours in. Bottom line is that we have to find Mr. Warren, protect the integrity of the search and investigation, and we will release information when and as we can, like right now.” -Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix.
🔄 What’s Next?: The search and investigation continue with a focus on locating Warren. Authorities urge civilians to refrain from conducting independent searches to avoid hindering official efforts. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
