13 arrested in connection with several Columbia burglaries

COLUMBIA — Police have arrested 13 people in connection with a rash of burglaries police say appear to be related.

Stolen items were sold from the back of vehicles in residential neighborhoods all over Columbia. Columbia police officers noticed similarities in the items stolen — flat screen TVs, iPods and electronics – and were able to recover many of the items, department Public Information Officer Jessie Haden said.

In an effort to recover the remainder of the stolen items, the Police Department is accepting purchased stolen items and won't file charges against the purchasers.

The burglaries took place at residences around the city and MacXperts, a Columbia computer store.

The arrests were made between Oct. 30 and Dec. 11, and police are still identifying suspects in anticipation of more arrests. They expect to recover more stolen property with the help of citizens reporting suspicious sales.

Police arrested:

• Tyler Cooper, 17, on suspicion of second-degree burglary and misdemeanor stealing
• Edwards D. Fields, 25, on suspicion of second-degree burglary
• Dequan L. Maxwell, 17, on suspicion of second-degree burglary and misdemeanor stealing
• James R. Miller, 17, on suspicion of two counts second-degree burglary and resisting arrest
  
• Germaine Pate, 30, on suspicion of second-degree burglary and felony stealing
• Tarrell Shields, 36, on suspicion of second-degree burglary and felony stealing
• Colin Walker, 18, on suspicion of second-degree burglary, felony stealing and a municipal warrant
• Two male juveniles, 14, on suspicion of two counts second-degree burglary each
  
• A male juvenile, 14, on suspicion of three counts second-degree burglary
  
• Two male juveniles, 15, each on suspicion of second-degree burglary
• A female juvenile, 16, on suspicion of second-degree burglary and misdemeanor stealing