Burden arrested on burglary charges after standoff

JASPER, Ga. – Authorities arrested William Lloyd Burden, 30, for burglary on Thursday, Feb. 15, after a two-hour stand-off with law enforcement.

According to Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kris Stancil, the suspect fled from authorities before being relocated and arrested. While the event involved SWAT Teams and officers from both Pickens and Cherokee counties, the suspect was apprehended without incident.

The official release from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office:

William Lloyd Burden

What started as a suspicious person call at approximately noon, turned into a day-long chase. The original call on Scenic View Drive reported a suspicious person appearing to be looking into different homes. Upon the deputies’ arrival into the area, the caller pointed to a residence and described an individual that had been “snooping” around. Deputies then observed where a window had been opened and appeared to have been broken into at a residence on Scenic View Drive. Deputies also observed where belongings appeared to be gathered to be removed from the home. As deputies attempted to clear the home, Mr. Burden exited the side door of the residence and fled into a wooded area.

After an extended search, the suspect was not located. Through investigation, it was later learned that Burden had called a friend that lived in the same area as the original burglary and went to the residence. Deputies were able to verify that he was in the home and all other occupants were out of the home, but he would not comply to exit the home. Due to not knowing if he was armed or not, deputies contacted SWAT team members from the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office and the Pickens Sheriff’s Office to respond.

Mr. Burden was later found to be hiding in the attic of the residence and was taken into custody without incident.

At this time, Mr. Burden has been charged with burglary and the investigation is continuing to determine if additional charges may be pending.