By Mike McCombs
The Island News
A man wanted in connection with break-ins in downtown Beaufort in the summer of 2023 is in custody in North Carolina. Anthony Leon Butler, 55, of Beaufort is currently detained in Forsyth County, N.C., near Winston-Salem.
In August, Butler was identified as a person of interest by the Beaufort Police Department in connection with the June 6 break-in at Coastal Art Supply at 216 West Street. He is now wanted, as well, for Burglary in connection with the June 28 break-in at NeverMore Books at 910 Port Republic Street.
According to Deputy Chief Stephenie Price, the Beaufort Police Department was contacted by Forsyth County authorities to let investigators know they had Butler in custody and ask if Beaufort Police wanted them to put a hold on him.
Price said the Beaufort Police enlisted the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and obtained a Governor’s warrant for Butler. He’ll be extradited as soon as he’s had a preliminary hearing for charges he faces in North Carolina.
Butler allegedly broke into NeverMore Books by breaking the bottom of the glass door. But there was no money readily available for the intruder to steal and, according to owners Dave and Lorrie Anderson, the burglar cut himself while trying to squeeze through the door and left blood – DNA evidence – behind.
When the advisory that Butler was a person of interest in the Coastal Art Supply burglary was put out, Beaufort Police were still waiting on lab results for evidence from the Nevermore Books burglary.
Police believed the two crimes, as well as a similar break-in at Bathe – a store located at 210 Scott Street known for selling soaps, lotions and rubber duckies – were related.
“The evidence is leaning that way,” Price said in July.
On June 27, someone broke into Bathe by breaking the bottom of the glass door with a car jack and stole around $450 from the cash register.
NeverMore owners Dave and Lorrie Anderson praised the communication and hard work on the part of the Beaufort Police.
“A shout out to local law enforcement,” Dave Anderson said.
The Beaufort Police Department wasn’t the only local law enforcement agency looking for Butler. Apparently, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is interested in his return to South Carolina, as well.
According to BCSO spokesperson Maj. Angela Viens, there is a warrant for Butler for failure to appear in a 2021 case.
Butler was linked forensically through DNA analysis to a March 11, 2021 burglary at a Lady’s Island dental office. According to Viens, a warrant was obtained for Butler for Burglary on Aug. 27, 2021. He was arrested Sept. 6, 2021 and released on bond Dec. 1, 2021 before fleeing.
Butler is expected to be back in Beaufort County by the end of January.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
