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Four from S.C. charged with Cashiers construction break-ins

By Lisa Majors-Duff
Loot Jackson County Sheriff Jim Cruzan examines some of the evidence recovered from 20 residential construction site break-ins in recent weeks near Cashiers. Most of the building equipment was discovered at a flea market in South Carolina, he said. Four South Carolina residents have been charged with the break-ins, which Cruzan indicated may have been facilitated by security personnel. "The contractors had every reason to believe the job sites were secure," the sheriff said. "But when the same sites were hit three and four times, it makes us wonder." - Herald photo by Lynn Hotaling Four South Carolina residents have been charged in connection with 20 residential construction site break-ins in southern Jackson County.

Sheriff Jim Cruzan announced Monday that Seneca. S.C., residents Michael Lee Trotter, Heath Jones, Angela Compton and James R. Carle were being held in an Oconee County (S.C.) jail on unrelated burglary charges. They will remain in the South Carolina court system before being extradited to North Carolina to face charges here, Detective David Grant said.

The four were arrested in South Carolina for breaking into mini-warehouses, from which they are alleged to have stolen similar-type construction equipment and tools, Sheriff Jim Cruzan said. South Carolina's charges against the four are the result of investigative work conducted by officers with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, who shared their information with South Carolina law enforcement, Cruzan said.

Local charges against the four include breaking and entering, larceny, possession of stolen goods and conspiracy. More than $100,000 worth of tools and equipment was taken in the Jackson County break-ins, said Cruzan. Of the 20 cases reported, 18 are considered solved following the arrests, he said.

Approximately half of what has been reported stolen locally has been recovered, said Detective David Grant. The items were found in a South Carolina flea market, and charges against the vendors who purchased the stolen goods are being considered, said Cruzan.

The investigation so far has led officers to believe the four had "inside" assistance with the break-ins, Cruzan said. "The contractors had every reason to believe the job sites were secure," the sheriff said. "But when the same sites were hit three and four times, it makes us wonder."

The residences under construction are located in extremely isolated areas, Cruzan said.

In an effort to assist those who have been victimized by these crimes, Susanne Moore, president of the Jackson County Homebuilders Associated, has organized a raffle, which will run through Feb. 8. Funds raised were originally slated to go to anyone who could provide information used to solve the break-ins, Moore said.

Businesses participating in the raffle include Bond Builders Supply (nail gun), Builders First Source (calculator) and Jennings Builders Suppy (circular saw) in Cashiers and Wholesale Supply (8-foot step ladder) in Sylva. Raffle tickets are $2 each or three for $5.

Three Jackson County residents were also charged recently with allegedly stealing four-wheelers from southern Jackson County. Charged with breaking and entering and larceny are Janice Clark, 25, of Whittier, Tim Clark, 23, of Sylva, and Bobby Luker, 22, of Tuckasegee. The sheriff was not ready Monday to say if the two sets of charges are related.

"The investigation is continuing because I firmly believe more people are involved," he said.

Cruzan complimented the contractors in southern Jackson County for "working so well" with the Sheriff's Department to solve these cases. Several anonymous tips from community residents also aided in the effort, he said.

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