Man arrested after series of late-night burglaries targeting women home alone, sheriff says

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - South Carolina authorities are asking for additional victims to come forward after a series of late-night burglaries targeting women home alone.

Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said investigators were made aware on Oct. 16 of multiple burglaries that shared “some very concerning similarities.”

In each burglary, a suspect entered or attempted to enter homes occupied by women who were alone at the time, Lewis said.

Investigators identified the suspect as 25-year-old Terron Lamon Banks.

Through their investigation, detectives said they linked Banks to four burglaries in September, including one where he entered an apartment through an unlocked window while a woman was sleeping.

Banks’ charges include four counts of first-degree burglary, one count of grand larceny and one count of voyeurism.

According to the sheriff’s office, Banks was able to be taken into custody at a bus station in Spartanburg County as he was trying to board a bus to Atlanta.

“We have a great relationship [with] adjoining counties,” Lewis said. “Certainly relieved to have him in custody before he got out of the county and possibly harmed somebody else.”

Deputies said they are also actively investigating five other incidents in the area that had similar circumstances that could be connected to Banks.

DNA evidence has been collected and submitted to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for processing.

The sheriff said Banks is not originally from Greenville and has a criminal history.

“Obviously, this guy probably did not just start doing this in Greenville County,” Lewis said. “Hopefully we can bring some justice maybe to some of those victims in another part of the country.”

Anyone who believes they were a victim of Banks or has further information has been asked to call the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office at 864-467-5300.

“Be vigilant. Watch your surroundings, keep your doors locked, keep your windows locked,” Lewis said. “Don’t be afraid to arm yourself. If you’re comfortable doing that, be aware of where that firearm is and don’t be afraid to use it.”