On 11/26/2021 approximately 2:16 am same being Thanksgiving morning James Adam Brown and Joshua Williamson broke into the auto mechanics classroom of West Columbus High School. Employees of the school noticed a damaged door at 8:46 am on this same day. Columbus County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on scene and took a report of several tools and a truck stolen from the property. Deputies called for the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations unit and Crime Scene unit to respond. The truck was found a little over a mile down the road in a field. A crime scene investigator was able to collect evidence from the vehicle and the school building. Investigators were able to collect video and conduct canvass interviews from the surrounding area. At that time Investigators were able to identify the vehicles involved and the suspects.

 There were also attempts to gain entry into other areas of the school but no entry was made.
On 12/1/2021, Investigators and Deputies obtained warrants for the two suspects and were able to arrest James Adam Brown and Joshua Wade Williamson. During the arrest Investigators were able recover most of the stolen property. Brown and Williamson were arrested for the following charges.

James Adam Brown, 42, -$60,000.00 secured bond
Joshua Wade Williamson, 33, -$60,000.00 secured bond
Breaking and entering
Felony Larceny
Felony larceny of Motor Vehicle
Conspiracy to commit a breaking and enterin

Photo and news release credit Columbus County Sheriffs’ office.