BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

PILGRIM — The Martin County Sheriff’s Office arrested two additional suspects linked to a recent burglary and theft of two valuable guitars from a residence in Lovely. The burglary, which took place March 21 on Buck Branch Road, drew attention due to the items stolen and the method of the burglary.

On March 26, Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Kidd arrested Garland Ray Mills Jr., 49, and Elizabeth Francis Horn, 34, both residents of Pilgrim, at Horn’s residence on South Wolf Creek Road. The arrests followed the earlier capture of 41-year-old James Hackney, identified as a participant in the burglary.

According to the arrest warrant for Mills, he broke into the home and stole the guitars.

Video surveillance capturing two individuals on a blue ATV at the scene. The footage revealed that one of the individuals, later identified as Hackney, drove the ATV, while the other, identified as Mills, entered the house and emerged with the guitars.

Police arrested Hackney on March 25 in Pilgrim. He allegedly provided law enforcement with a detailed recounting of the burglary, including a failed attempt to sell the stolen guitars in Inez. The investigation led police to the identification and arrests of Mills and Horn.

The charges against Horn revolve around her possession of the stolen guitars during the attempted sale, leading to her being charged with receiving stolen property valued between $1,000 and $10,000. Police also caught Horn with a substance that she identified as fentanyl, resulting in a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Both Mills and Hackney face charges of burglary and criminal mischief for their roles in the theft.

The trio made their initial court appearance via Zoom April 3 before Martin District Judge Brett Butcher. The judge decided to waive all three cases to the grand jury for potential indictments.

The investigation is ongoing by the Deputy Kidd.

All parties are innocent until proven guilty.