Local Teenager Charged w/Vehicle Burglaries

A local teenager was charged Friday with five counts of vehicle burglary. The burglaries occurred Thursday evening around town.

18-year-old Joshua Burger was arrested by Effingham City Police after being located hiding under a porch at a local residence. 

In court Friday morning, Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler told Judge Kevin Parker that a man contacted police that someone had burglarized his girlfriend's vehicle and taken cash and debit cards. Similar reports from the same general area of town followed, then located and arrested Burger.

Bond for Burger was set at $20,000. Kibler asked for the bond, saying Burger has only been 18 years old since the end of March, but has already been arrested three times. He also stated that Burger is dealing with significant mental health problems.

Public Defender Scott Schmidt will represent Burger, who is next due in court the morning of May 5.