Deputies respond to burglary overnight at South Effingham Middle

Effingham County Sheriff's Office officials say two suspects broke into South Effingham Middle School overnight and tried to get away with several items. 

Deputies responded to an alarm at the school a little after midnight. While they were checking the area, deputies saw two men with ski masks take off running. 

A chase ensued and one suspect took off running across Hwy 30 while the other suspect jumped in a nearby pond to escape. Deputies say they pleaded with the suspect to get out of the pond due to the very cold conditions. They say he was in the water for at least 30 minutes before he surrendered to deputies. He was transported to Memorial University Medical Center with symptoms of hypothermia where he was treated and then released into the custody of ECSO deputies who then transported the 18-year-old to the Effingham County Jail where he is facing burglary in the first degree, a felony charge. 

Now the search for the second suspect is underway. ECSO officials say they have several good leads and they do believe they know who the second suspect is, but are not releasing any other details. 

Officials say no damage was done to the school and school will run as normal on Wednesday. They say the two suspects were attempting to take items from the school such as backpacks and snacks.