Local man arrested and charged following string of recent residential and commercial burglaries

DAYTON–Columbia County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) had been investigating a series of residential and commercial burglaries occurring since the beginning of the year. A tip to the CCSO led to the arrest of Dayton resident Isaiah A. McGanty, who was later charged on January 30, 2021.

McGanty, 38, of 522 W. Cameron Court, appeared in Columbia County Superior Court on February 4, 2021, and was charged with one count each of Possession of Stolen Property in the second degree, a class C felony, and Possession of Stolen Property in the third degree, a gross misdemeanor. He was also charged with trafficking stolen property in the first degree, a class B felony, to which he allegedly confessed during initial questioning that some of the stolen property was pawned, according to court reports. He was charged with an additional misdemeanor charge of driving with suspended or revoked license in the third degree. The maximum penalty is 15 years imprisonment, 454 days in the county jail and $36,000 plus restitution and assessments.

It was reported to the CCSO that upon returning from several days out of town, residents discovered some missing items and found the burglar appeared to have entered through a bedroom window. Deputy Cesar Rivera was dispatched to the residence in the Country Village Trailer Court on January 3, 2021. Rivera later determined one of the allegedly stolen items had been purchased by Shawn Charpentier of Pasco, Wash. After questioning Charpentier, Rivera was able to confirm Charpentier had bought the alleged stolen item from McGanty. The victims reported later to the Sheriff's Office that two of the items stolen had been returned, including the one sold to Charpentier.

Deputy Jeffrey Jenkins was called to the scene of a burglary at the First Congregational Church, 214 S. 3rd, on January 22, 2021. Jenkins was dispatched on January 24, to the First Christian Church, 410 S. 3rd, 2021, where another burglary was reported. On that same day, another burglary was reported to Deputy Kenneth Foxe at Faith Chapel, 653 Wagon Road. At this location, the suspect had left an identifiable item.

A search warrant was issued on January 27, 2021, to search the suspect's residence in Cameron Court, where items from the various burglaries were alleged to have been found, including items from another incident reported later at Shop N Go 2, formerly Pik A Pop, 533 W. Main Street.

McGanty had also allegedly attempted to alter a check stolen from Faith Chapel and deposit it into his own bank account.

Deputy Foxe and Undersheriff Robbie Patterson received an anonymous tip on January 30, 2021, that McGanty was identified as entering another residence at the Country Village Trailer Court. Upon arriving on the scene, McGanty was discovered climbing from a bedroom window, according to police reports. He was arrested and taken into custody.

McGanty has a previous felon record for burglary, as well as a sex offense and kidnapping with failure to register.

According to the Columbia County Prosecutor's Office, the investigation is ongoing and could result in additional charges or defendants.

He will again appear in court on February 17, 2021, to admit or deny the accusations.