One Arrest Made, Second Suspect Sought in Hayesville Construction Shop, Storage Facility Break-Ins

Clay County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

On the morning of 12/22/25 a breaking, entering, and larceny was reported at Anthony Garrett Construction (AGC) located at 603 Jonquil Lane in Hayesville. Clay County Investigator Brandon Coker responded to this location. Garrett reported that he went into his shop this morning and found items from his work truck scattered on the ground. Numerous tool related items were found to have been stolen.  A surveillance camera captured images of two men on the property as well as inside of the shop. Various businesses and pawn shops were notified as protocol to be watchful for the items reported to have been stolen.

On 12/31/25 Clay County Lt. Tyler Faggard, Investigator Coker, and Cherokee County Lt Drew Payne traveled to the residence of Andrew Tab Kilpatrick, 49 years of age from Marble, NC. Kilpatrick had become a suspect during this investigation. When confronted, Kilpatrick confessed to this breaking, entering, and larceny. He identified his accomplice as Briant Heath Remely, 55 years of age from Murphy.

Lt Faggard was aware that Lake Life Storage, located on US Hwy 64 east in Hayesville, was also broken into during the same time period. Lake Life Storage had been entered through a hole in the perimeter fence. Multiple individual storage units were noted to have had their locks cut off. Lt Faggard asked Kilpatrick if he and Remely were also involved with this breaking and entering. Kilpatrick confessed that he and Remely had done this as well.

The Officers then traveled to Remely’s residence in Murphy. Remely was confronted about the breaking and entering at AGC. Remely said he used to work for Garrett and that Garrett was a good man. Remely also confessed and said he took the tools because he needed “dope”. When asked about the breaking and entering of Lake Life Storage, Remely also confessed Kilpatrick and his involvement with that crime.

Both Kilpatrick and Remely were told on 12/31/25 that they would eventually be charged but would be given a chance to try and locate some of the items they had stolen. None of the stolen items to date have been surrendered by Kilpatrick or Remely. On 01/06/26 Remely was arrested on multiple felony counts of Breaking or Entering and Larceny and Injury to Real Property. Kilpatrick is at large and wanted for multiple felony charges relating to these incidents.