Sheriff's Office Identifies Suspect and 'Person of Interest' in Day Care Burglary

The has identified a Commerce woman believed to be involved in the earlier this week of day care on Jennings Mill Road.

The van was recovered at the Howard Johnson on West Broad Street in Athens later that same day.

Warrants have been obtained for Rhonda Edith Kay Whisnant, 25, on charges of burglary, theft by taking motor vehicle, entering auto, and theft by receiving stolen property, according to a news release.

Whisnant is 5'3'' tall weighing 250 pounds, officials said.

Additionally authorities say they want to speak with Michael Eugene Taylor, 38, also of Commerce.  No warrants have been issued for Taylor, but the Sheriff's Office has identified him as a "person of interest." He is 6'0" tall and weighs 185 pounds.

If you have information as to whereabouts of Whisnant or Taylor, please contact Investigator Andy Corbin at 706-769-3945 or at acorbin@oconeesheriff.org.

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

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