Conway police charge suspect in string of burglaries

CONWAY – Police have arrested William Buck Scott, 35, of Conway and charged him in connection with several burglaries that occurred in the city since November 2008.

According to a news release, on November 24, 2008 Conway Police officers responded to Townes Insurance located on Bell Street in the city limits of Conway in reference to Burglary. Employees reported that when they arrived for work that morning, they discovered someone had broken out a rear window and gained entry in to the business. All the desk drawers had been opened and ruffled through, but it did not appear anything was missing.

On March 25, 2009 shortly after 1:00 a.m. as officers were patrolling the area of Hill Street and 9th Avenue they observed a man wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and white shoes, with a purple book bag, which fit the description of a Scott, who police were looking for). Officers asked the man if he had any identification and the man said “no.” The officers then asked the subject his name and date of birth, to which the subject told the officers that his name was William Buck Scott. Officers knew that Scott was wanted for Burglary 2nd in connection with the November 24, 2008 burglary and attempted to arrest Scott, but he was able to elude arrest, the release said.

On April 10, 2009 the same officers responded to the Horry County Memorial Library’s Technical Services office, 1603 4th Avenue, in reference to a Burglary. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the complainant who stated that someone had broken into the library and had taken four (4) computers valued at around $5,000. The complainant also stated that the Dodge van that the library used was missing. The van was later located near Gilbert Road, off of Highway 701 South.

On May 10, 2009 around 3:30 p.m., officers responded to Bumper to Bumper Auto Sales, 1617 4th Avenue, in reference to a vandalism report. Upon their arrival, officers learned that someone threw a rock into the front glass door of the building to gain entry. After further investigation, the owner found that a Smith & Wesson display case containing several knives and a bubble gum machine had been taken.

On June 7, 2009 shortly after midnight, Conway Police dispatch received an anonymous call stating that someone had broken into Thomas Supply located at 1509 3rd Avenue and was stealing a truck. Officers responded to this location but were unable to locate anything out of the ordinary. Later in the morning, a Conway Police Officer located a Thomas Supply pickup truck behind First United Methodist Church, 1001 5th Avenue. The truck did not appear to have a signs of forced entry or damage to the steering column.

On June 8, 2009 while on routine patrol, officers noticed that the gate on the west side of Thomas Supply, 1509 3rd Avenue, appeared to be ajar. Upon closer examination, officers found that the screws had been removed from one side of both the bottom and top hinges on the rolling gate. An employee of Thomas Supply was contacted and met with Conway Police Officers at the business. The employee advised that there was a GMC pickup truck missing from the back lot.

On Wednesday, July 15, 2009 investigators received information as to the Scott’s location. Officers responded to the location and arrested Scott without incident, the release said.

Scott has been charged with two counts of Burglary 1st Degree, one count of Burglary 2nd Degree, one count of Grand Larceny and one count of Resisting Arrest.

His bond hearing will be scheduled by the circuit court.