Day Care Burglary Suspect Locked Up

A Jefferson woman who authorities believe was behind the Ocobter burglary of an Oconee County day care is in jail.

Rhonda Edith Kay Whisnant, 25, was taken into custody by the Arcade Police Department on Oconee County warrants earlier this week, Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry reported in a news release.

In the early morning hours of October 25, day care on Jennings Mill Road was burglarized.  .  The van was recovered at the Howard Johnson on West Broad Street in Athens later that same day.

Officials have said they believe the people behind the day care break-in are the same individuals who led officers on

Commerce police reported the Mazda was stolen on Oct. 18 from Enterprise Rental Cars after the business was burglarized in the same way as the day care.  The keys were taken during the burglary and used to steal the car, Lt. Ken Harmon said.

Whisnant was booked into the on Nov. 29, according to booking reports.

Authorities said they believe Whisnant had been hiding in Florida.

Whisnant has been charged with burglary, theft by taking, theft by receiving stolen property and entering auto. 

Authorities have also said , 38, of Commerce.  No warrants have been issued for Taylor. He is 6'0" tall and weighs 185 pounds. Call 706-769-3945 if you have any information about Taylor's whereabouts.

The case remains under investigation.