Deputies Charge 3 in Shoplifting Ring at Sporting Goods Store

A Columbia man and two Columbia women, who deputies say were part of a shoplifting ring that targeted a sporting goods store near Irmo, are facing charges. 

Thomas Ryan Melton, 28, Edwina Marie Evans, 54, and Kim Ineze Evans, 51, are accused of stealing camping, hunting and fishing equipment from Sportsman's Warehouse on Piney Grove Road and returning the stolen items for refunds in the form of store gift cards, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department. 

Deputies say Melton along with Edwina and Kim Evans, who are sisters, stole more than $350 in equipment on two different days and received store gift cards as refunds for about $230 of the equipment. 

Lexington County deputies, in cooperation with Richland County deputies, arrested Melton Sunday at a business at the intersection of Decker Boulevard and O'Neil Court near Columbia. 

He is charged with three counts of shoplifting, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of obtaining goods under false pretenses. He was released from the Lexington County Detention Center on Monday on a personal recognizance bond.

Lexington County deputies also arrested Edwina and Kim Evans at their apartment Monday. The Richland County Sheriff's Department's Fugitive Task Force assisted. 

They are each facing charges of shoplifting and criminal conspiracy. Kim Evans is also facing a charge of obtaining goods under false pretenses.

They were both being held at the Lexington County Detention Center Monday awaiting a bond hearing. 

Deputies are still investigating the shoplifting ring that targeted Sportman's Warehouse, said Lexington County Sheriff James Metts. They may make more arrests.

Anyone with information about additional criminal activity involving Edwina Evans, Kim Evans or Melton should call the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at 803-785-8230 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.