Arrest to be made in Maranatha school break-in

OAKWOOD - Officials with the Oakwood Police Department said they will make an arrest Tuesday afternoon in connection with the break-in at Maranatha Christian Academy last month.

Capt. Andy Smith said Jeremy Nathan Brantley, 26, of Gainesville, will be arrested for his part in stealing a safe at the school which contained nearly $11,000 raised during a silent auction.

School officials said the money from the auction was allocated for the school's operating expenses, including teacher payroll, since the struggling economy forced a number of parents to remove their children from the private school.

Smith said Brantley is currently being held at the Hall County Detention Center possibly on burglary charges not related to the Maranatha incident.

He said officials have recovered most of the items stolen from the safe including credit cards, checks and miscellaneous papers. Smith said the cash, however, was not recovered. He said some of the belongings will be returned to their owners while some items will be used as evidence in the case against Brantley.

Smith said the Oakwood Police Department, Gainesville Police Department and the Forsyth County Police Department have all assisted in the investigation.

He said authorities do anticipate more arrests in connection with the incident.