Sumter man arrested for allegedly breaking into his neighbors' vehicles
A 49-year-old Sumter man is facing multiple counts of breaking into a vehicle after he was caught on camera searching through vehicles in his own neighborhood Monday night.
Sumter County sheriff's deputies responded to a call on Brookland Drive and met the victims who said their three vehicles had been searched by an individual and the incident was recorded on camera.
The only item reportedly stolen was a Sirius XM radio valued at $200, according to an incident report. The victims said all three vehicles were left unlocked.
In the report, a deputy said he watched the footage and observed a black male on the victims' property.
One of the victims' said the individual in the video resembled a man who lives a few houses down.
Deputies detained a man, fitting the description of the man in the video, after they saw him walking out of the woods next to the victim's residence while they were searching the area.
The man identified himself as Lucius Green, of S.C. 261, and was later read his Miranda warning.
The report states Green was read his Miranda warning at least three times because he claimed he did not understand what he was being told. At one point, according to the report, Green told deputies he did not want to understand.
After he was transported to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center, Green was charged with a fourth vehicle break-in charge for another break-in on Brookland Drive that same night.
The third victim, who also said he left the vehicle unlocked, told deputies his GPS system was stolen.
"We're looking into whether or not he is responsible for more break-ins," Sheriff Anthony Dennis said about Green.
Deputies remain vigilant in investigating reports of suspicious reports of people in neighborhoods, he said.
Ken Bell, public information officer for the sheriff's office, said Green could be facing more charges as the investigation continues.
Dennis urges residents to report any suspicious activity and people, and to lock their vehicles before walking away.
Non-emergency calls can be made to (803) 436-2000.