A Cedartown man has been arrested in connection with a burglary at a county facility earlier this month. According to reports, 41-year-old Stephen Dewayne Bertles has been charged with first-degree burglary and prowling after surveillance footage linked him to the theft of two portable generators valued at $800 each.
The incident occurred late on October 6, 2025, at the county share building. Around 10:40 p.m., security cameras captured a man approaching a storage area on the north side of the property, where several 18-wheeler trailers are used for storage. The footage reportedly shows the suspect breaking the locking mechanism on one of the trailers before removing a Caterpillar RP5500 portable generator and loading it into a shopping cart.
Just after midnight, a man matching the same description returned to the area. He was seen shirtless, wearing dark pants with the legs rolled up, and the same distinctive black-and-white shoes. Video audio again captured the sound of a break-in. Around 12:30 a.m., the suspect was seen returning to the same trailer, this time stealing a second generator of the same make and model.
Investigators say the suspect appeared to have dark hair tied in a bun or ponytail and visible tattoos on his left arm and back. The business owner is reviewing additional footage to determine whether any other property was taken and to aid in identifying the suspect.
Bertles was later identified and taken into custody in connection with the thefts.
