Man Accused in String of Home, Auto Burglaries Arrested

Brooks Easterling/ASGDC

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO) – One suspect accused in a string of home and auto burglaries has been arrested in Richland County with the help of DNA.

Brooks Easterling, 35, was arrested on July 26 and is charged with 17 counts of burglary and 17 counts of larceny.

During a press conference, Sheriff Leon Lott said Easterling is a career criminal, with at least two prior convictions for burglary.

A search of Easterling’s residence recovered nearly 200 items stolen from at least 16 burglaries in Richland County, Forest Acres, and City of Columbia jurisdictions, officials say.

Authorities believe the burglaries involved targeting victims who were typically out of town on the weekends.

In addition to the burglaries, Easterling is accused of 30 automobile break-ins.

Richland County investigators say they recovered at least 20 South Carolina drivers licenses, ID’s, and credit cards from various victims of those car break-ins from Rock Hill, Sumter, Florence, Garden City, Forest Acres, Columbia, and Richland County.

Additional charges could be forthcoming for all who may have been involved, authorities say.

Easterling is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.