A man suspected in the theft of a safe from the Wildwood Masonic Lodge was arrested after returning to the scene of the crime.
Wildwood police were called shortly after 7 a.m. Monday to the Masonic Lodge at 103 Georgia St. where a window had been broken to gain entry to the building. An office door had also been pried open. A safe was stolen from the office of the Masonic Lodge. It was found on the lawn.
A red 1996 Ford Ranger was parked nearby and the vehicle was still warm to the touch, according to an arrest report. A check of the vehicle’s registered owner revealed it belonged to 46-year-old Donald Franklin White of Weirsdale.
After the scene was cleared, an officer continued to keep an eye on the truck. White returned to the truck and drove away. During a traffic stop, the officer checked White’s shoes and found they matched prints left behind at the Wildwood Masonic Lodge.
The Mount Holly, N.J. native was arrested on charges of burglary, criminal damage to property and theft. He is already on probation for previous convictions for burglary, fraud and other charges. He was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center without bond.