Columbus County deputies captured one of the suspects in a $200,000 scrap metal theft as he was allegedly committing another larceny, a short distance from the East End Sheriff’s Substation.
Forrest Kelly was captured in the act, according to the sheriff’s office. Brandon Johnson Inman had already been taken into custody. The pair are alleged to have taken a dozen HVAC units and copper wire from the closed East Arcadia Primary School in Bladen County. Losses and damages were estimated at $200,000, according to BCSO.
Columbus County investigators developed leads tying the two Delco men to the theft. Copper, HVAC parts and even a Teacher of the Month sign were recovered from Inman’s home on Burnham Drive during the execution of a search warrant. Inman confessed to the larceny, according to a press release, and said Kelly was involved. Inman was placed under $200,000 secured bond in the Bladen Detention Center.
On Sept. 2, deputies discovered Kelly at the closed Delco School, several hundred feet from the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office substation. The Delco school property s slated to be cleared for a new satellite hospital for Columbus Regional.
Kelly was allegedly in the process of stealing copper and other materials from the Delco property. He was taken into custody and held under no bond.
Both men were charged with felony breaking, entering and larceny.
