Columbia Man Arrested for Vacant Home Burglaries

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department detectives arrested a 42-year-old Columbia they say broke into two vacant homes on March 1 trying to steal ovens.

Deputies arrested Craig Cory Cooper, 42, of 104 Lipscomb Lane, Columbia, on March 16 and charged him with two counts of second-degree burglary.

An arrest warrant alleges that on the morning of March 1, Cooper broke into a home on Castlefield Drive near Lexington by kicking open the front door of the residence, Lexington County Sheriff James Metts said.

Police say Cooper broke into the home with the intent to steal an oven. A witness told deputies that he saw a sport utility vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle that Cooper drives go by the Castlefield Drive home shortly after the break-in occurred, Metts said.

The arrest warrant also alleges that around 12 p.m. that same day, Cooper broke into a home on Greenstone Way near Irmo by kicking open the front door.

Police say a witness saw a man who matched Cooper’s physical description steal a Whirlpool oven from that home.

Detectives later found a list of homes in Cooper’s possession that included both homes, with a line drawn through the home’s street address, according to the department.

Cooper was released from the Lexington County Detention Center on Tuesday, March 20, after posting bail totaling $50,890, according to the department.

The case remains under investigation.

Metts said anyone with information about additional criminal activity involving Cooper to call the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at 803-785-8230 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Citizens also can provide information anonymously by accessing the Crime Tip link on the Sheriff’s Department website.