Velvet Ann Penny, 47, of 209 Cannon St., Newberry, has been arrested and charged with first degree burglary, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A 66-year-old Charlotte Street woman awoke around 4:20 Sunday morning by the glass in her front door being broken.
The victim went into her living room to find a woman she did not know standing in the room. Penny allegedly demanded that the victim give her money. The resident told Penny she did not have any money and to get out of her house, according to Newberry Police Investigator Roy McClurkin.
Penny then walked into another room of the house, began looking around, found the victim’s purse and left the house with it.
The victim immediately called 9-1-1 and police located Penny hiding behind a tree less than a block away from the house she is accused of illegally entering.
When officers approached Penny, she began running from them but was arrested after a short chase.
McClurkin said Newberry officers also found a crack pipe in Penny’s possession.
Penny will remain in custody at the Newberry County Detention Center until she can go before a circuit judge for bond. Due to the charge of first degree burglary carrying a possible sentence of more than 30 years, by law a circuit judge must set her bond.






