Westminster Man arrested on Burglary and Larceny Charges

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Westminster man Sunday, July 1, on charges of first degree burglary and petit larceny. Booked into the Oconee County Detention Center after being arrested by deputies at his address was 21-year-old Tyler Wayne Smith of Chiefs Lane. A deputy responded to an address on Donna Drive near Westminster the afternoon of June 20, in reference to a report of a burglary to a residence where entry was made and a ladder was taken. A Crime Scene Investigator was notified and responded to the process the scene and the case was turned over to the Criminal Investigations Division. As the investigation continued and evidence was gathered in the case, it was determined that Smith and a second subject, 21-year-old Steven Lee Hightower, who resides at a separate address on Donna Drive, made entry into the residence and stole the ladder. Hightower was charged with second degree burglary and petit larceny in regards to the incident. Hightower was arrested on June 25, on unrelated charges and was served the arrest warrants while already in custody. Smith was denied bond on both charges and remains in custody at the Oconee County Detention Center. He will appear before a Circuit Court Judge at a later time regarding bond.