Suspect arrested in string of burglaries, assaults in Sumter

Posted

A Sumter man suspected in three separate home break-ins and related assaults was taken into custody on Wednesday and faces multiple charges.

Darious Moore, 40, of Robney Drive, was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, three counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct and two counts of kidnapping. Moore was also charged with grand larceny in an unrelated vehicle theft.

At about 3 p.m. on Tuesday, a man broke into a residence at Ashley Chase Apartments and attempted to sexually assault the resident before she managed to get away unharmed and contact law enforcement, according to Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for the Sumter Police Department.

About two hours later, officers responded to a residence on Woodlawn Court, where a man broke into a home and threatened to kill the resident. After hitting her, the two began to fight before he ran from the residence, McGirt said.

The resident was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Based on information developed from the two cases, officers identified Moore as the suspect, which also tied him to a Jan. 19 incident.

On Jan. 19, a Reed Street resident heard a knock on the door. After answering, she was forced to an area of the house where her attacker said he intended to sexually assault her. The woman, however, managed to get away unharmed and called police, McGirt said.

Moore was taken into custody on Wednesday and is being held at the Sumter County Sheriff's Office Detention Center.

Moore was denied bond Friday morning and could face a significant amount of time in prison, with first-degree burglary carrying a 15 years-to-life sentence if convicted, McGirt said.

An investigation is continuing.