‘Person of interest’ sought in Loris area home, business burglaries

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     Help from the public is being sought in connection with two Sunday night burglaries in the Loris area, Capt. John Harrelson of the Horry County Police Department said.

     A man captured in surveillance video is wanted for questioning as a “person of interest” in the burglaries at the Sunny Stop at 1530 Hwy 701 North, Loris and at a home next door, Harrelson said.

     Officer reports indicate the home was targeted first, a 35 year-old man telling 911 dispatchers that a man was looking in the windows and doors at the home at about 10:15 p.m. before kicking in a back door.

     A woman, age 32, was also in the home, the report said.

     Once inside, the man “pulled out a small handgun and pointed it” at the victim, demanding money, taking about $300 in cash and the car keys before fleeing, the report said.

     The car was not taken, Capt. Harrelson said.

     Deputies were summoned to the Sunny Stop after management noticed that surveillance cameras there had stopped working, an HCPD report said. Officers responding to the store were told of the residential burglary next door, and when they arrived at the Sunny Stop determined a burglary had taken place there.

     It appears only a small item, valued at $1, was taken from the store.

     Anyone who sees the man shown in the surveillance images is asked to call 911 immediately. The man should not be approached, Harrelson said, and should be considered armed.

     Anyone with information on either burglary is asked to contact the HCPD. Information can be sent to crimetips@horrycounty.org or called in to 843-915-TIPS.

     Look for more on this story as events warrant, and in the next Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.