Suspect in break-in formally charged
Published 9:51 am Wednesday, May 7, 2014
FRANKLIN—The Branchville man arrested on April 28 in connection with a break-in at two downtown businesses has a bond hearing scheduled at 1 p.m. Monday, May 12, in Franklin General District Court.
James William Thomas III, 29, of the 28000 block of Little Texas Road, was arraigned Monday for the following:
• One count of destruction of property with intent to take $1,000 or less – misdemeanor
• One count of destruction of property with intent to take $1,000 or more – felony
• Grand larceny of $200 or more, not from a person – felony
• Two counts of entering a structure to commit A&B, etc., – felony
• Felony possessing a weapon/ammo (not gun) – felony
At 1 p.m. Monday, July 7, Thomas is also scheduled to have a preliminary hearing for those charges as well as the following: possession of burglary tools and entering a house (or building) to commit assault and battery, both felonies.
The charge of trespass after forbidden is considered a misdemeanor and will be tried the same day as the one count of destruction of property with intent to take $1,000 or less.
Thomas’ difficulties don’t end there. He’s been charged by the Southampton Sheriff’s Office for multiple counts of burglary and larceny in connection with at least four known crimes from Aug. 30, 2013, to Feb. 27.
Search warrants discovered stolen property at the suspect’s residence.
The suspect is in custody at Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk.