A Winnsboro man was arrested Saturday following a string of minor shoplifting incidents and one break-in over the previous five days at Ruff Hardware in Ridgeway.
According to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, someone cut the locks on a gate on the outside of the business during the night of Nov. 16 and stole four small animal traps of undetermined value. The following day, Andrew McKinstry, 64, of W. College Street in Winnsboro, entered the store and tried to walk out wearing a Ruff Hardware hat that he had not purchased. Deputies arrived and placed McKinstry in custody and a search of his pickup truck revealed a set of bolt cutters, a damaged lock and several green rings that had been attached to the stolen animal traps.
At the time of his detention, McKinstry complained of high blood pressure and was transported to Fairfield Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released into police custody. McKinstry was then transported to the Fairfield County Detention Center where he awaits a charge of petty larceny.
