In the early morning hours of Thursday, July 17, 2025, at approximately 2:48 a.m., the Burke County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an armed robbery at a residence on Andria Lane in Connelly Springs.
The victim reported being confronted by two armed men who assaulted him and stole property and items from his truck and residence. Shortly after deputies responded to this incident, a second call was received reporting a similar crime reported by a person walking on St. John’s Church Avenue in Connelly Springs.
An investigation led deputies to a residence on Prysock Avenue in Connelly Springs and both suspects were located inside the home. One suspect, identified as 265 year old Ethan Trae Kistler of Hildebran, complied with deputies’ commands and exited the residence without incident. The second suspect, identified as 24 year old Kevin Blaine Jenkins of Connelly Springs, refused to come out and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was called to assist. The SWAT team entered the residence and was able to take Jenkins into custody without further incident.
Both men were taken into custody and transported to the Burke County Magistrate’s Office, where they were each charged with two counts of Felony Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. Ethan Kistler was placed under a $75,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court on July 18, 2025. Kevin Jenkins was transported to the hospital for evaluation and has not been formally served with his charges at the time of this release.