Man charged with gun theft after multiple other shoplifting incidents, CPD says
Columbia Police Department officers used physical evidence to link a 32-year-old man in connection with a series of store thefts.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook announced that Christopher Cunningham is charged with fourteen counts of shoplifting (enhanced), assault and battery of the first degree, and burglary of the second degree.
Between September 2021 and February 2022, Cunningham allegedly stole electronics, household items, vehicle equipment, toys, and firearms from the Walmart Shopping Center at 7520 Garners Ferry Road.
Cunningham’s most recent incident was March 6. He and an unidentified male co-defendant are accused of stealing four guns from a store. Physical evidence collected at the crime scene and surveillance video linked Cunningham to the incident.
He is also accused of displaying a knife when store employees confronted him about stealing items, according to the Columbia Police Department.
Officers say in another incident, an employee reported the suspect assaulted her. According to police, the victim did not sustain life-threatening injuries.
Two of the stolen firearms have been recovered and are being processed, investigators are still working to identify Cunningham’s co-defendant.
Cunningham was taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center where he was denied bond.
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