Published: 11/9/2021


THE LAWRENCE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A THEFT THAT OCCURRED OVER THE WEEKEND ON SHOALLY BRANCH ROAD. ACCORDING TO REPORTS, ON SUNDAY A HOMEOWNER RETURNED FROM A TRIP AND FOUND HIS DOOR OPEN AND THE HOUSE RANSACKED AND VANDALIZED. A SAFE HAD BEEN PRIED OPEN AND A LARGE SUM OF CASH TAKEN AMONG OTHER ITEMS. THE SUSPECT, LATER IDENTIFIED AS MICHAEL DAVID KOLEMAN, 48, OF COLUMBIA WAS FOUND IN THE VICTIM’S VEHICLE BY AN OFF-DUTY OFFICER AND WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. KOLEMAN WAS CHARGED WITH BURGLARY, THEFT OF PROPERTY, CRIMINAL TRESPASSING AND VANDALISM AND CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION. HE WAS ALSO POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AS THE SUSPECT SEEN IN THE AREA AND IN ANOTHER PERSON’S BARN.