Five men have been charged in connection with numerous thefts of copper in Greenville County.
The Greenville County Sheriff's Office charged Christina B. Merritt of Greenville, Shannon E. Garland of Piedmont, Harley R. Thomas of Greenville, Kenneth B. Taylor of Piedmont and Rocky S. Pennington. Deputies say they damaged a number of air conditioning units to obtain copper inside the machines.
Investigators say the copper was taken to scrap metal dealers in the area and sold for cash.
Merritt was booked in to the Greenville County Detention Center Friday and faces 11 counts each of grand larceny and malicious damage, plus one count of criminal conspiracy. Merritt's bond is set at just over $300,000.
Garland is thought to be in the Myrtle Beach area. He has been charged with 11 counts each of grand larceny and malicious damage, three counts of unlawful transportation of copper wire and one count of criminal conspiracy.
Thomas was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center on January 5th. He faces seven counts of unlawful transportation of copper wire, two counts of grand larceny and one count each of malicious damage and criminal conspiracy. Thomas's bond is set at just over $120,000.
Taylor has an active warrant for Criminal Conspiracy, but deputies have not arrested him.
Pennington was taken into custody on January 5th for the charge of criminal conspiracy. He is currently out on bond.
Shannon E. Garland
Kenneth B. Taylor
Photos courtesy Greenville County Sheriff's Office
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