STATESBORO — Four suspects were arrested following a reported home invasion on Bunce Lane Wednesday afternoon, according to Chief Deputy Jared Akins of the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 12:45 p.m., deputies responded to a home invasion report in the 500 block of Bunce Lane, located southeast of Bulloch off Highway 67 near Emit Grove Road. The victim told authorities that a Black male approached him on his back porch, pointed a firearm, and threatened him. The victim safely retreated inside, locking himself and his wife in a bedroom before calling 911.
While deputies were en route, a civilian witness spotted a man matching the suspect’s description walking along Highway 67. Officers stopped the individual, later identified as 22-year-old Rufus Lee of Lanier Drive, Statesboro, and found him carrying a firearm. The victim positively identified Lee as the suspect who attempted the robbery.
Shortly after, deputies stopped a vehicle on Bunce Lane occupied by three others: 21-year-old Shanikwa Buie of Len Tenner Ct., 19-year-old Adrien Jacobs of Buttermilk Road in Sylvania, and 23-year-old Jarius Ware of Johnson St., Statesboro. Investigations revealed the trio had accompanied Lee to the victim’s home with intent to commit a home invasion.
The following charges have been filed against the suspects:
Rufus Lee: Armed Robbery, First-Degree Home Invasion, Aggravated Assault, Criminal Attempt to Commit Burglary, Possession of a Firearm During a Crime
Shanikwa Buie: Armed Robbery, First-Degree Home Invasion, Criminal Attempt to Commit Burglary
Adrien Jacobs: Armed Robbery, First-Degree Home Invasion, Criminal Attempt to Commit Burglary, Criminal Trespass
Jarius Ware: Armed Robbery, First-Degree Home Invasion, Criminal Attempt to Commit Burglary
All four remain in the Bulloch County Jail pending further court hearings.
Chief Deputy Akins credited the swift actions of patrol deputies and the vigilant citizen’s call for the rapid arrests in the case.
