Columbia man accused of breaking into Gilbert home

Posted 1/27/23

A Columbia man who allegedly broke into a home in Gilbert has been arrested.

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Columbia man accused of breaking into Gilbert home

Posted

A Columbia man who allegedly broke into a home in Gilbert has been arrested.

Paul Lewis Richards Sr., 62, is accused of forcing open a back door of a home on the 3300 block of Augusta Highway Jan. 23, according to a release from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies who were dispatched to a robbery in progress that afternoon found evidence that Richards rummaged through closets and some drawers in the master bedroom.

According to a provided incident report, Ring security camera footage captured the suspect approaching the sunroom, where a door showed signs of forced entry, at 2 p.m. The suspect was captured on camera about three minutes later leaving the residence and departing in a dark blue sedan later identified as a Chevy Malibu.

“With help from the Lexington Police Department, we were able to identify Richards,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon is quoted in the release. “We later confirmed the car seen in the video is owned by Richards’ wife.”

Richards was arrested by Richland County deputies at his home the night of the robbery. He is charged with first-degree burglary and is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center, with his bond set at $110,000.

According to a provided arrest warrant, Richards has two prior convictions for burglary, both from December 2013.

lexington county crime, columbia burglary, gilbert arrest, sc law enforcement

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