CAREER CRIMINAL RECEIVES 25-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR THEFTS

A Moore man received a 25-year prison sentence today for stealing thousands of dollars worth of tools from the parking lots of local businesses and area homes.

Tony William Morris, 49, of Moore, pleaded guilty to four counts of grand larceny, three counts of second-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, three counts of breaking into a motor vehicle, receiving stolen goods, third or subsequent property offense and petty larceny. The crime spree occurred between March and September when one of the crimes was caught on the surveillance cameras of the Lowe’s store in Boiling Springs. The stolen property included drills, sanders, chain saws, blowers, push lawn mowers, chain saws, air compressors, saws, and other tools.

Sheriff’s deputies and several of the victims spoke during the guilty plea. The speakers respectfully asked Circuit Judge Roger Couch to impose a tough sentence.

Morris’ prior criminal record dated back nearly three decades with numerous convictions with property crime convictions.

“He preyed on people who left valuables unprotected,” Assistant Solicitor Ryan McCarty said. “Lt. Jeff Valentine and Lt. Russell Lynch of the Sheriff’s Office deserve a lot of credit for their work to develop strong evidence.”

Charges are still pending against Steven W. Wolfe, 57, of Moore.

For more information, contact Murray Glenn at (864) 809-4892.