UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies say a 27-year-old Fort Mill, South Carolina resident is facing a number of charges following a string of burglaries in the Firethorne Country Club neighborhood.
Deputies responded to the neighborhood after someone called 911 on March 26th to report that a suspicious person operating a golf cart was attempting to charge a dead battery at the caller’s residence.
While meeting with the 911 caller, deputies were dispatched to an alarm activation coming from the clubhouse at the Firethorne Country Club. The same two deputies say they say the suspect, Joseph Hinson, getting off an elevator carrying a bag full of items.
Hinson is accused of running into the woods but was caught a short time later by deputies. Investigators say one of the deputies was injured during the struggle to take Hinson into custody.
Hinson is also accused of having two credit cards in his possession that were determined to be stolen from another Firethorne resident.
Deputies say they spent several hours answering calls from residents who reported items stolen from either a vehicle or garage during the early morning hours.
In total, deputies determined Hinson was responsible for breaking into at least five separate vehicles, according to a news release.
In addition, deputies say he broke into another vehicle parked inside an attached garage of an occupied home, resulting in a charge of First Degree Burglary.
Deputies say they also determined Hinson had broken into the Firethorne pool house where he stole a set of car keys. The keys were later recovered in a golf cart stolen form the garage of another residence, according to deputies.
Hinson now faces several charges in connection with the series of crimes occurring over the span of several hours in the Firethorne community. The charges include assault on a government employee, resist delay and obstruct, several counts of breaking, entering and larceny from a motor vehicle, first degree burglary, larceny of motor vehicle, misdemeanor larceny, and injury to real property.
Authorities say Hinson also damaged sound panels in the interview room at the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Charges associated with this damage are forthcoming, according to a news release.
Hinson is also wanted on outstanding charges in Lancaster, South Carolina.
