IREDELLCOUNTY, N.C. -- Mooresville police have arrested a man accused of breaking into at least two, and possibly three, golf course pro shops over eight days this month.
Police charged Elliot Kyle Smith with three counts of felony breaking and entering, and three felony larceny charges at Mallard Head Country Club. He is also facing charges for felony break-ins at the Twin Oaks Golf Club.
Smith is accused of stealing money, beer, golf balls and candy.
Twin Oaks Golf Course was hit three times in eight days, said its owner Chad Odom. The thief stole expensive Titleist Pro V1 golf balls and some cash, but left more valuable golf clubs alone.
There wasn't really any rhyme or reason, said Odom, but he did know what a Pro V was.
Odom, a longtime golf pro at local clubs, just bought Twin Oaks two years ago. He spent more than $100,000 renovating the greens, and now has had to replace a broken window and cash registers.
The repair bill is more than the value of items stolen, said Odom, and his insurance doesn't cover the losses because the amount of damage doesn't meet the deductible.
It's just a huge headache, said Odom. It drives you crazy that people don't value your property like you do.
Security video shared by the Iredell Sheriff's Office also shows Smith inside Mallard Head Golf Course pro shop, which was also broken into three times.
The Statesville Country Club was also broken into, and a computer and TV were stolen. The items belonged to the club's golf pro, according to member John Marshall.
Smith has not yet been charged in the Statesville County Club break-ins. Authorities are looking at the possible connection between that break-in and Smith.
Odom said the break-ins come at a terrible time -- just as the club's busy season is getting into full swing after a colder-than-normal winter that followed a wet summer.