Petit Larceny at Ford School

​On April 30, 2018 the Principal of Ford Elementary reported to the School Resource Officer that approximately $1200.00 was stolen from a class room. The class began selling chocolate candy bars starting in December of 2017 to raise enough money for each child to go on a field trip to Charleston SC. The entire $1200.00 was money which these children raised through the sale of candy bars for the sole purpose of this field trip.

​After a thorough investigation and interviews with nearly everyone in the building in which this class room is located, an arrest has been made. On May 8, 2018 the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant on Timothy Leon Cook for petit larceny. Mr. Cook was booked into the Johnson Detention Center a short time later. Mr. Cook works as a janitor at the school and during an interview did admit to taking the money. Mr. Cook has a prior criminal history for possession of marijuana, driving under the influence, driving under Suspension, and use of a vehicle without the owner’s permission. ​Sheriff Don Reynolds made the following statement: “It is absolutely incomprehensible that someone could steal money from these children which they, their parents, teachers, staff, and volunteers worked so hard to raise for this field trip. This criminal is now where he belongs, behind bars and away from these children.”