Former employee accused of stealing golf cart and mattresses from Myrtle Beach hotel

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – An Horry County man is behind bars after allegedly stealing a golf cart and more than a dozen mattresses from a hotel where he once worked.

Myrtle Beach police have charged 43-year-old James Smart of Conway with grand larceny between $2,000 and $10,000 and second-degree burglary.

The department responded to the Sand Dunes Ocean Villas on the 200 block of 75th Avenue North on Oct. 29 for a burglary.

Officers discovered that the golf cart and 15 to 20 mattresses and box springs had been taken from a locked room, meaning whoever stole them must have had a key.

Officers were later told the suspect, identified as Smart, worked at the hotel and was suspected of theft in the past, according to a police report.

Smart’s keys were taken when he was fired in February, but it is believed he made a spare key, the police report said.

Invoices cost the golf cart and mattresses a total of about $10,000.

Authorities arrested Smart on Thursday.

He remains in custody at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center under a $50,000 bond.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.