Chief Terrence Green is announcing the arrest of Mohamid
A. Khamis, age 45 of West Columbia, South Carolina, who was charged with Purchasing Stolen
Goods from an Agent of Law Enforcement, value greater than $2,000 but less than $10,000.
This investigation began in October 2018 when detectives of the Lexington Police Department
were working on a series of shoplifting cases that involved merchandise being stolen from
multiple businesses in the Town of Lexington. Through their investigation they were able to
identify a subject who admitted shoplifting merchandise stolen from businesses and re-selling
these items to support an addiction to cocaine.
As a result of this investigation, detectives were able to identify Mohamid Khamis as he was
known to purchases stolen goods from those who shoplift, giving them a small percentage of
the retail value as payment. Mohamid Khamis would then re-sell the stolen merchandise at the
US #1 Metro Flea Market on Augusta Road in Lexington County, South Carolina and to other
buyers around the state.
Detectives of the Lexington Police Department began working with corporate asset protection
investigators who provided merchandise and other support to further this investigation. Over
the course of several weeks, detectives and asset protection investigators conducted a series of
successful controlled sales of merchandise, valued at approximately $2,500 in total, which were
presented by a confidential informant as being stolen to Mohamid Khamis during each
transaction.
On December 20, 2018, a search warrant was executed at the residence of Mohamid Khamis
and a storage unit rented by him where numerous items of stolen merchandise was recovered.
The items recovered were mainly power tools and accessories which had a retail value of over
$3,000.00.
Mohamid Khamis was arrested and transported to the Lexington County Detention Center.
When seen at Lexington County Bond Court, he was given a $5,000 surety bond.
Chief Terrence Green commends the work of detectives in this case while also thanking
Organized Crime Investigators from Belk, Macy’s, Home Depot, Lowes Home Improvement
along with the West Columbia Police Department for their assistance in this investigation. The
combined support of the Organized Crime Investigators was essential in bringing this
investigation to a close.