Hartwell Woman Charged in String of Storage Unit Burglaries
Hart County Sheriff’s investigators have made an arrest in a string of burglaries from storage units in Hart County, Lavonia and Anderson County, SC.
Investigators have arrested Tasha Marie Franks, 28 of Hartwell and are searching for more suspects.
The burglaries took place between June 2nd and June 14th, according to Hart County Sheriff’s investigators’ incident reports.
About eight units were burglarized at the Herring Mini Storage facility on Beacon Light Road in Hart County and four units at a storage facility in Lavonia.
Investigator Marshall Norton with the Hart County Sheriff’s office said a break in the case when he got a tip about similar burglaries in Lavonia.
“We got some information connecting her with a burglary in Lavonia,” Norton said. “We found out that she had a storage unit rented at the mini storage facility. We did a search of her unit and actually found some of the merchandise that had been stolen from the other storage units.”
In Lavonia, Franks allegedly burglarized four storage units at a Lavonia storage facility on SR17 during the same time period, according to Police Chief Bruce Carlisle.
“All seemed to be the same type of entry that was made in Hart County,” Carlisle said. “It’s my understanding that during questioning she (Franks) did admit to the break-ins.”
Norton said said Franks avoided suspicion by acting like the owner of the storage unit she was burglarizing.
“She had an accomplice that would go and break off the owner’s lock and replace it with another lock. Then, they would come back later with a U-haul type truck during the day and clean out the unit. Anyone who saw them would think they were the rightful owners to that unit because they had a key to the lock,” Norton explained.
Norton said Franks made off with over $10,000 in stolen property that included antiques, tools, garden and sports equipment. Much of it has been recovered but Norton said there is more still out there.
“She has gotten rid of a lot of the items from the these storage units,” Norton said. “Anybody who has purchased anything from her or who may have been given anything from her should call our office because it’s probably stolen property.”
In Hart County, Franks is charged with one count of felony theft by receiving stolen property, seven counts of second degree burglary and two counts of misdemeanor theft by receiving stolen property.
Franks is charged in Lavonia with one count of second-degree burglary. She remains in the Hart County Detention Center.