The suspect in five recent break-ins near Tabor City was released on parole in December after 85 previous charges were dismissed.
James Stanley “Jimmy” Thompson, 52, of 120 Queen St., Tabor City, was arrested Aug. 6 on probation violations and other charges.
In March 2021, Thompson was arrested after a nine-month crime spree where 50 people in Nakina reported a total of 61 break-ins, mostly of vehicles. Ten firearms, more than $4,000 in cash, and numerous small items were taken.
At that time, Thompson was charged with 61 felonies and 26 misdemeanors, and held under $278,500 secured bond. He was released on probation after all the charges except for four breaking and entering a motor vehicle charges were dismissed by the courts. Thompson spent 284 days in jail awaiting trial. He was released Dec. 9.
The most recent string of break-ins began in July, the sheriff’s office said.
On July 18, a deputy responded to a home on Old Stake Road. The victim advised that a .357 revolver was taken from one vehicle, and a Smith & Wesson 9mm was removed from a second. The next day, two vehicles at another Old Stake road residence were reported entered. Money and an air freshener were stolen., the report said.
On July 31, on Cox Subdivision Road, surveillance footage allegedly caught Thompson entering the victim’s vehicle and taking a Smith and Wesson handgun.
On the same day, a deputy was called to an attempted break-in on Swamp Fox Highway East. The victim received a notification from their security system of movement outside the home, the report said. The victim turned on an outside light and saw the suspect at a vehicle in the yard.
The suspect – identified as Thompson — ran towards Fowler Road, entered a parked vehicle, and drove toward Cox Subdivision Road.
Around a half-hour later, the sheriff’s office said, Tabor City Police were called to Thompson’s home after he was allegedly standing in his front yard with a handgun. Thompson fled, however, and escaped police.
The next day, Aug. 1, a vehicle was ransacked on Swamp Fox Highway East. A pair of binoculars was reported hidden under some clothing, but nothing was taken, according to the report.
CCSO Criminal Investigators identified Jimmy Stanley Thompson, 52, of Tabor City, and took him into custody Aug. 6. He was charged with three felony probation violations, two counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, and two counts of larceny of a firearm. He also received criminal summonses on five counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, two of misdemeanor larceny, and three counts of larceny of a firearm. His bond was set at $90,000.
