A North Charleston man has been sentenced to six years in prison for stealing $200 from a restaurant’s cash register, a punishment that was increased because of his long criminal record, according to 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson’s office.
Kevin Lamar Scott was found guilty of petty larceny. Normally, petty larceny is a minor offense, but Scott was sentenced under South Carolina’s “three-strikes” law for repeat property crimes.
What happened
On Feb. 23, 2025, Scott walked into Rania’s restaurant in North Charleston with his face covered, went straight to the cash register, opened it and took $200, according to the solicitor’s office.
He ran from the restaurant and was later spotted by police. Officers say he tried to get away on a bicycle, crossed Rivers Avenue into a bank parking lot, then left the bike and jumped over a concrete wall. Officers caught him moments later.
The money was recovered.
Scott was originally arrested on an armed robbery charge after the incident, but he was ultimately convicted of petty larceny.
A long record
According to the solicitor’s office, Scott’s past convictions go back to 2007 and include:
- 2007: Resisting arrest, shoplifting, breaking into vehicles, marijuana possession
- 2010: Reckless driving
- 2012: Third-degree burglary
- 2013: Shoplifting
- 2020: Receiving stolen goods
- 2024: Shoplifting
- 2026: Shoplifting
What is the three-strikes property law?
Under South Carolina law, a person with two or more prior convictions for certain property crimes, like shoplifting, burglary or receiving stolen goods, can face a much harsher sentence on a third or later conviction, even if the new crime involves a small amount of money. Instead of a short jail stay, the crime can be treated as a felony with a longer prison term.
That is why Scott received six years for a theft that might otherwise have brought a much lighter punishment.
Source: 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, as reported by ABC News 4
