Myrtle Beach Man Arrested for Stealing Golf Cart and Mattresses
In a story that sounds straight out of a movie, Myrtle Beach was recently shaken up by a rather unusual theft! A man from Horry County found himself behind bars after allegedly stealing a golf cart and a whopping 15 to 20 mattresses from a hotel where he once worked. Yes, you read that right! This peculiar incident took place at the Sand Dunes Ocean Villas, located on the 200 block of 75th Avenue North.
The Shocking Discovery
It all started on October 29 when the Myrtle Beach Police Department was called to investigate a burglary at the hotel. Officers arrived on the scene only to discover that the golf cart and the mattresses had been taken from a locked area. Now, that’s a huge red flag! It was clear that the thief had to have some sort of key to access the goods.
As detectives pieced together the puzzle, they learned that the suspect was none other than James Smart, a 43-year-old man from Conway who had previously worked at the hotel. Interestingly enough, it appears that Smart had been suspected of stealing before, according to the police report, giving a whole new meaning to “once a thief, always a thief.”
The Plot Thickens
Now here’s the kicker: Smart was fired from his job back in February, and his keys were supposedly taken from him. However, it’s believed that he might have been a bit crafty and made himself a spare key. Talk about dubious ingenuity!
The value of the items stolen is estimated to be around $10,000, including that shiny golf cart and all those mattresses and box springs. Now, that’s a serious haul!
The Arrest
It wasn’t long before authorities caught up with Smart, as he was arrested on a recent Thursday. He now finds himself at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center and is currently being held under a bond of $50,000.
What’s Next?
The whole thing raises a lot of questions. How could someone think they’ll get away with such a bold theft, especially from a place where they used to work? It’s hard to imagine what went through Smart’s mind as he loaded up on stolen goods, driving off in a golf cart.
For now, Myrtle Beach can breathe a little easier knowing that this peculiar story has, at least, taken an unexpected turn. The police are looking into the situation further and ensuring that such incidents don’t happen again in our beloved community.
As always, stay tuned for more updates on this bizarre tale that has already made waves in Myrtle Beach! We’ll keep our eyes peeled and our ears to the ground to deliver more news as it comes. In the meantime, let’s all keep our eyes open and remember: sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction!
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
