Leesville Man Arrested in Burglaries of 12 Irmo Homes

A turned himself in to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday.

Thomas Scott McLean, 43, of 207 Leaf Trail Road, Leesville, was charged with breaking into 12 homes near Irmo between May 31 and Oct. 31.

Detectives say McLean stole jewelry, cash, coins, silver flatware, baby equipment, and prescription medication worth about $50,000.

On Thursday, detectives obtained eight additional arrest warrants for McLean on charges of second-degree burglary, Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts said in a release. 

Arrest warrants allege McLean broke into four homes on Briarcreek Court, Woodwinds Drive West, Beacon Hill Road and Sandhurst Road between Oct. 21 and Oct. 31.

Detectives say during that time McLean stole jewelry, cash and coins worth a total of $23,446.

The warrants also allege that between May 31 and Oct. 18 McLean broke into eight homes on Wescott Road, Barmount Drive, Sunnybrook Court, Nottingham Court, Townes Road, Tram Road, Northman Road and Amberly Court, stealing more jewelry, cash, coins, prescription medication, silver flatware and a baby stroller. Those items totaled $25,505.

McLean sold the stolen items at pawn shops near Columbia, Lexington and Irmo, Metts said.

Detectives say McLean, who grew up in Irmo and was familiar with the area, “targeted homes where he knew he could steal items that he easily could sell at pawn shops.”

McLean was being held at the Lexington County Detention Center Thursday afternoon while awaiting a bond hearing.

Metts asked that anyone with information about additional criminal activity involving McLean call the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at 803-785-8230 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. You can also provide information anonymously by accessing the Crime Tip link.