By Delayna Earley
The Island News
The Beaufort Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a man who is wanted in connection with a break-in that occurred in downtown Beaufort in June.
Anthony Leon Butler, of Beaufort, was identified as a person of interest by the Beaufort Police Department in connection with the break-in at Coastal Art Supply at 216 West Street.
“He was identified as a suspect in one of our downtown burglaries,” Lt. Col. Stephenie Price, Deputy Chief and spokesperson for the Beaufort Police Department said. “So we put a wanted advisory out for that.”
Price said that they are actively looking for him, as are other local and statewide law enforcement agencies.
“We have statewide extradition for him,” Price said.
According to a post made on the Beaufort Police Department’s Facebook page on Friday, August 4, Butler is known to drive a red four-door Volkswagen Jetta.
In mid-July, Price told a group of about 20 business owners that they had identified a person of interest and were waiting on lab results to confirm the identity during the Downtown Beaufort Merchants’ Association meeting at Thibault Gallery on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort.
Price told The Island News following the meeting that they believe that the June 6 break-in was also related to two other break-ins that took place in downtown Beaufort on June 27 and 28.
“The evidence is leaning that way,” Price said after the July meeting.
On June 27, someone broke into Bathe, a store located at 210 Scott Street known for selling soaps, lotions and rubber duckies.
The thief broke into the store by breaking the bottom of the glass door with a car jack and stole around $450 from the cash register.
NeverMore Books was broken in to on June 28 in a similar manner, but this time there was no money for the thief to steal and, according to owners Dave and Lorrie Anderson, the thief cut themselves while trying to squeeze through the door and left blood behind.
When asked if the lab work requested by the Beaufort Police Department was related to the blood left at NeverMore Books, Price said she could not answer.
Price did say that the point of entry for the break-ins – the glass doors of the businesses – allowed the thief to see inside of the business and see if there was anything worth taking.
“They’re looking for the iPad and Square, … and then cash,” Price said. “You shouldn’t keep anything of value where it can be seen through the front window of the business.”
Price also advised downtown business owners to get cameras or an alarm if they do not already have them.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Butler has not been apprehended.
Beaufort Police have asked for anyone with information about the whereabouts of Butler, to contact Investigator Anthony Re at 843-322-7960 or call their Anonymous Tip Line at 843-322-7938.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
