GBI Investigating Burglary and Arson at McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office Substation, Suspect At-Large

DEARING, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting with an investigation after a sheriff’s office substation in Dearing was burglarized and set on fire early Wednesday morning.

According to the GBI, the McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office requested the agency’s assistance, along with the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Investigation Unit, following the incident in Dearing.

McDuffie County 911 received a report of a fire at the McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office Substation on July 15.

Firefighters with the McDuffie County Fire Department responded and extinguished the blaze, but authorities said the building sustained significant damage.

The preliminary investigation indicates that during the early morning hours, a man entered the substation and stole several items.

Investigators believe the suspect later returned to the building and intentionally set it on fire. The suspect was identified as Carter Martin Jarrad. Jarrad is currently at-large. He is described as a white male, weighing approximately 165 pounds and is 6”1’ with brown hair and blue eyes.

The GBI said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

If you have any information on the suspect’s whereabouts, please call McDuffie County 911, the McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office @ (706) 595-2040, GBI @ (706) 595-2575, or your local law enforcement agency.