Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Charges Westminster Man for Break-In and Theft at Oconee County Manned Convenience Center Location

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office has charged a Westminster man in relation to an investigation into a break-in and theft at an Oconee County Manned Convenience Center location.

44 year old David Andrew Smith has been charged with one count each of First Degree Burglary, Petit Larceny and Malicious Injury to Real Property.

Late Monday evening of this week, a deputy from the Uniform Patrol Division on routine patrol in the Bountyland Community observed a vehicle towing a utility trailer without any working lights. The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle on Bountyland Road at Oconee Estates Road. The deputy made contact with the driver, Smith, and two other passengers, a male and a female.

During the course of the stop, Smith was placed under arrest for Driving under Suspension and for an Uninsured Motor Vehicle offense. The two other occupants in the vehicle were released from the scene. During the course of the traffic stop, the deputy discovered multiple items on the trailer and in the vehicle.

On Tuesday morning of this week, a deputy from the Uniform Patrol Division responded to a Manned Convenience Center location on Safety Harbor Road in West Union in regards to a report of a burglary. The deputy spoke with the employees on scene who reported that items were taken from the Convenience Center location. The property that was stolen was later recovered due to the traffic stop and the execution of a search warrant by the Criminal Investigations Division at an address on Cleveland Pike Road.

The property stolen was returned to the Manned Convenience Center. As a result of the investigation, arrest warrants were obtained against Smith. According to the arrest warrants, Smith is accused of taking hand tools, power tools and clothing. Smith is also accused of cutting a hole in the fence in order to gain access to the Manned Convenience Center property on Safety Harbor Road while also breaking into a building on the property as well.

Smith, who has prior convictions for burglary, remains in custody at the Detention Center on a combined $71,710.00 surety bond.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.