String of burglaries leaves Beaufort County residents on edge

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) — At least nine burglaries in three days have left Beaufort County residents shaken as the sheriff’s office searches for multiple suspects.

The break-ins occurred between January 31 and February 2 on Lady’s Island and Saint Helena Island. Homes were targeted overnight, with several residences hit within blocks of each other.

“I go to get out of my car and I’m looking around getting paranoid, in the summer time I do that because of alligators, now I have to do that because of people,” said Kandace Palmer, a Saint Helena Island resident.

Suspects stole liquor, firearms, power tools and other valuables from homes. Deputies also found damage to the homes in question.

Palmer lives next to two homes that were broken into. The houses are part-time residences, and she says neighbors believe they are being targeted.

“They’ll see that that houses are sometimes vacant and then they’ll come back, seeing that the people aren’t here at the time,” Palmer said.

One victim told WTOC his back door was broken into and his house was ransacked. While the burglars didn’t take any valuables, they took several bottles of alcohol and left a mess.

Neighbors have a clear message to the suspects.

“Get a job, leave us alone, you know, we work hard for what we have, its not yours,” Palmer said.

The sheriff’s office is turning to the community for help. They released security footage showing the suspects in hopes someone may recognize them. Investigators are also asking residents to look back at any security footage they may have of the area.

While neighbors are on high alert, they say they are pleased with the sheriff’s office’s response. They have noticed ramped up patrols nearby while the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to reach out to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.