Christopher Scott James
WINNSBORO – A Great Falls teen was arrested last week and charged with a string of Lake Wateree area thefts that date back to September.
The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office said Christopher Scott James, 17, of Hampton Street in Great Falls, was arrested in Chester County on Nov. 2. James was in the Chester County Detention Center at the time on unrelated charges.
The Sheriff’s Office said additional arrests are expected in the thefts.
The thefts began back on Sept. 23 when a laptop computer worth $500 was stolen from a car parked outside a home in the 700 block of Molly Creek Circle. Two days later, a purse was stolen from a car parked outside a home in the 1500 block of Antioch Cemetery Road in Ridgeway.
James, according to the incident report, admitted to the thefts. The laptop was later recovered by Chester County investigators. James reportedly told investigators where the purse could be located.
Between Oct. 16 and Oct. 17, firearms and a compound bow worth $1,950 were stolen from a car parked outside a home in the 1000 block of Deer Run Road. The bow was later recovered at a pawn shop.
James also confessed to stealing a cell phone worth $250 from a truck parked outside a home in the 300 block of Rockbridge Road between Oct. 18 and Oct. 19. Chester County investigators later recovered the phone.
Between Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, a handgun worth $400 was stolen from an unlocked truck parked outside a home in the 2400 block of Deer Run Road. James later confessed to this incident as well and the gun was later recovered.
In all, James faces six counts of petty larceny. He was transported to the Fairfield County Detention Center and was released on Nov. 3 on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond and a $6,200 surety bond.
As the investigation continues, Sheriff Will Montgomery said there may be more stolen loot out there.
“We have reason to believe that there may have been other items stolen, to include weapons, that have not been reported to us,” Montgomery said. “We ask that anyone, particularly in the Lake Wateree area, who has noticed any items missing to contact the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office.”
The Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 803-635-4141.
