Hartsville man accused of Hanna crime spree

Hartsville police say they believe they caught a man who may have used Tropical Storm Hanna as a motive to commit multiple burglaries during the weekend.

James Michael Wilson of Hartsville is charged with burglary and larceny for breaking into Pantry Express and stealing about $200 worth of cigarettes, Hartsville Police Chief Tim Kemp said.

Wilson, 30, is also a suspect in the break-ins of 30 to 35 vehicles on and near the campus of Coker College in which cell phones, cash and bookbags were stolen, Kemp said.

The vehicles were broken into sometime between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, with the Pantry Express burglary coming shortly after, Kemp said.

Hanna brought heavy rains to the area during the time of the crimes, and Kemp said the storm was likely a factor in the crime spree.

Officers caught the suspect about 7 a.m. Saturday shortly after they received a call that someone was selling cigarettes on the street, Kemp said. The suspect broke a window while breaking into Pantry Express, located at 117 W. Washington St. Many of the cars that were broken into also had smashed windows.

More arrests are expected in this case, Kemp said.