9 Individuals Arrested Tied to Several Burglaries

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Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced the arrest of 9 individuals Friday tied to several break-ins in the midlands over the past three months. “They were thieves, just pure and simple thieves,” said Sheriff Lott during a press conference. Sheriff Lott said brothers Matthews and Hayden Worthey along with Brett Green and Cameron Brisco are tied to a crime spree in the Dutch Fork area. Several of the robberies were caught on surveillance video and show the men breaking into churches, homes, and businesses. “Nine churches which is almost every church in the Dutch Fork area was broken into, they were stealing anything they could put their hands on, they weren‘t going to stop until they got caught,” said Sheriff Lott. Meanwhile, across town in Northeast Columbia, a separate crime spree, this one impacting 10 homes in the Brookhaven subdivision. “That community was living in fear,” said Sheriff Lott. “I think one day in February we had 3 homes that were broken into, that‘s 3 lives or families that will never be the same.” The Sheriff said JaQuan Montina, Khalil Davis, LaRyan Young, Deonore Easterling and a 15-year old juvenile are responsible for stealing more than $76,000 worth of merchandise and caused costly damage to homes in the subdivision. “$2,7000 dollars worth of damage to homes kicking the doors in and sometimes we forget about that when homes are broken into,” said Sheriff Lott. “Not only are the items stolen but the damage that the burglaries do to get in.” While Sheriff Lott said the arrests may bring victims closure, the burglaries take an emotional toll that could last for years to come. “Even though they‘re not home and they don‘t physically see what happens, they come home and their castle is violated or their place where they feel secure has been violated,” said Sheriff Lott. One resident in the Brookhaven neighborhood said despite the arrests, he still does not feel safe. “Now that I know it, I don‘t feel safe. It makes me afraid to leave home,” said resident Herry Frezier.