Serial burglar accused of targeting women who were home alone, police say

A South Carolina man has been arrested for reportedly burglarizing several women who were all home alone at the time of the incidents. 

According to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, 25-year-old Terron Banks is also being investigated for other similar home invasions and allegations of sexual misconduct. 

Victims were women who were home alone

What we know:

Deputies said the investigation began Oct. 16, when the county’s forensic unit identified a pattern while processing multiple burglary scenes: The burglaries happened at night at homes where women were home alone. 

Investigators later identified Banks as a suspect in four burglaries in September. In the first one, he allegedly tried to enter an apartment, but fled when the resident woke up. A day later, he entered an unoccupied apartment and stole items, deputies allege. He reportedly returned to the same apartment three days later and tried to enter while the resident was there, but he wasn’t able to get in. The next day, Banks allegedly entered an apartment through an unlocked window while a woman was sleeping. While inside, he used the victim’s cell phone to send pictures of the victim to himself. 

MORE: Intruder’s ‘sick behavior’ caught on video as he shines flashlight on sleeping woman

Deputies said they tried to stop banks Oct. 19, but he fled from deputies. He was arrested three days later at a bus station in Spartanburg County as he got ready to board a bus to Atlanta. 

Banks has been charged with four counts of first-degree burglary, one count of grand larceny and one count of voyeurism.

What we don't know:

Investigators say they’re looking at five other cases involving similar circumstances – in addition to allegations of criminal sexual conduct – but no suspect has been identified yet. 

What they're saying:

"We understand that victims may be hesitant to report these types of incidents, particularly those involving sexual assault," said Sheriff Hobart Lewis. "We want anyone who may have experienced something similar to know that we take these reports seriously and encourage them to come forward. Even the smallest piece of information could be critical to our investigation."

The Source: This report includes information from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina.