Jewels and gemstones from other thefts found
A flood of tips led to an arrest in the Liberty Wood Products fire, where evidence of other local jewelry thefts led to 22 charges against a Franklin man.
According to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, after the suspicious July 17 fire that caused significant property damage to Liberty Wood Products, “tips from the community flooded in.”
“It’s because of the strong community cooperation and support that we gained information that led us to a suspect for this fire,” MCSO stated.
MCSO said upon executing a search warrant, they found evidence that tied the suspect to multiple ongoing breaking and entering investigations involving the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and Franklin Police Department.
MCSO arrested Elijah Todd Lam, 26, of Austin Welch Road, charging him with four counts of breaking and entering, four counts of larceny after breaking and entering, one count of larceny of motor vehicle, two counts of breaking and entering motor vehicle, six counts of possession of stolen goods, one count of burning personal property, one count of felony larceny, one count of possession of stolen motor vehicle and two counts of felony probation violation.
Lam is held at the Macon County Detention Center on a combined $160,000 secured bond and his next court date is Aug. 8.
According to warrants, early on July 17, Lam set fire to the building, broke into it and stole car keys, a laptop, a computer and a money bag. Lam then allegedly stole a gold 2009 Dodge Caravan, which police found later the same day.
Around 10% of the building was damaged by the fire, with smoke and water damage throughout the facility, rendering the space unworkable.
Evidence from other alleged crimes includes a May 22 incident where Lam allegedly broke into Cowee Valley Lapidary on Ruby Mine Road, taking three boxes containing gemstones. On June 30, Lam allegedly broke into Gold & Silver Jewelry & Coin on Franklin Plaza Drive and took multiple uncirculated coin sets. On July 12, Lam allegedly broke into a building on Lower Burningtown Road, stealing a flatscreen TV, digital camera, cell phone, pearls, three sets of silverware in wooden boxes and a 2010 Buick Lacrosse.
Lam was serving three years of probation from a November 2021 conviction in Macon County for possessing stolen goods and larceny of a motor vehicle.
“We’d like to extend a special thank you to the Franklin Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (Probation) for their support. Their cooperation was vital to this investigation,” MCSO stated.
“We were very moved by the community collaboration on this case,” said Sheriff Brent Holbrooks. “So many people saw the devastating outcome of this fire and wanted to support this local business in getting justice. We want to thank our citizens for their cooperation.”