City police arrested a couple last week on charges of theft after they were found with more than $15,000 in stolen American Express cards stolen from Walmart.
Lorie MacLean, 44, of Longshadow Lane in North Charleston, SC was charged with theft of merchandise and theft of property over $10,000, and Craig Yarborough, 53, was charged with theft of property after police were called to investigate an attempted shoplifting.
According to Smithville Police Chief Randy Caplinger, a city officer was dispatched to Walmart for an investigation on a theft of property incident.
When he arrived at the retail outlet he was reportedly met by employees in the parking lot and informed that a woman had fled in her car, leaving merchandise outside the store that she had not paid for.
The vehicle was stopped on Anthony Avenue by Chief Caplinger and Detective Matt Holmes, and a search warrant was obtained. A search of the vehicle allegedly revealed a number of items for which she could not provide proof of ownership.
Among the items were 175 American Express cards with a cash value totaling $15,525. The chief said the cards had not been activated, and Walmart officials confirmed that they had been stolen.
The total value of the items she allegedly attempted to take from Walmart was $857.94.
She is under a $26,500 total bond $26,500 bond and will appear in court on May 1.
Yarborough, who was still inside the store when MacLean attempted to flee, was also charged with theft of property when he admitted that that he was traveling with her and that he was her boyfriend.
His bond was set at $2,500, and he will appear in court on May 1 as well.
Caplinger said the investigation into this case is ongoing and that more charges may be pending.
Meanwhile, a local man has been charged with shooting at his brother.
Jonathan Lewis, 45,  was  charged with aggravated assault on April 20 after officers received a call from dispatch concerning shots being fired on Highland Street.
The lawmen were advised by the neighbors that the shooter was still inside the house, and that he had missed the person he was firing at, his brother, who had fled.
The officers talked the alleged shooter into coming out of the home, and he was taken into custody.
Caplinger said a search of the residence revealed a .45 caliber handgun and several spent rounds on the front porch of the house.
His bond was set at $35,000, and he will appear in court on May 22.