January 9, 2026

Man Arrested in North Charleston for Alleged Apartment Break-In

North Charleston, January 9, 2026

North Charleston Police have arrested 19-year-old Kenneth Lee Gilliard for allegedly breaking into a woman’s apartment earlier this week. He faces serious charges including first-degree burglary and first-degree assault and battery. The arrest follows a Wednesday morning incident where Gilliard reportedly entered the apartment unlawfully. The investigation is ongoing, and Gilliard is currently in custody as legal proceedings are anticipated.

North Charleston

Man Arrested in North Charleston for Alleged Apartment Break-In

North Charleston Police Department has arrested 19-year-old Kenneth Lee Gilliard in connection with an alleged apartment break-in that occurred earlier this week. Gilliard faces serious charges including first-degree burglary and first-degree assault and battery. The arrest follows an investigation into an incident where Gilliard is accused of breaking into a woman’s apartment on Wednesday morning.

Details of the Charges

Kenneth Lee Gilliard, aged 19, was taken into custody by authorities from the North Charleston Police Department. He has been formally charged with two felony offenses: first-degree burglary and first-degree assault and battery. These charges stem from an incident reported on Wednesday morning, January 7, 2026, involving the alleged unauthorized entry into a woman’s residence.

First-degree burglary, under South Carolina law, is a serious offense that involves unlawfully entering a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime, and often includes aggravating circumstances such as the presence of another person. Similarly, first-degree assault and battery in South Carolina typically involves an unlawful act of physical violence against another person, resulting in serious bodily injury or committed under circumstances that show an extreme indifference to human life.

The arrest of Gilliard was confirmed by the North Charleston Police Department, which has been actively investigating the incident. The specific details surrounding the alleged break-in and subsequent assault have not been fully disclosed as the investigation is ongoing.

Ongoing Investigation

The North Charleston Police Department continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged break-in and assault. Authorities are working to gather all pertinent facts related to the case. Gilliard remains in custody as legal proceedings are expected to follow the formal charges.

Law enforcement officials encourage anyone with information relevant to ongoing investigations to contact the North Charleston Police Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the charges against Kenneth Lee Gilliard?

Kenneth Lee Gilliard, 19, is charged with first-degree burglary and first-degree assault and battery.

When did the alleged incident occur?

The alleged incident involving the apartment break-in occurred on Wednesday morning, January 7, 2026.

Which police department made the arrest?

The North Charleston Police Department arrested Kenneth Lee Gilliard.

What does first-degree burglary mean in South Carolina?

What does first-degree assault and battery mean in South Carolina?

First-degree assault and battery in South Carolina typically involves an unlawful act of physical violence against another person, resulting in serious bodily injury or committed under circumstances that show an extreme indifference to human life.

Key Features of the Incident

Feature	Description	Scope
Accused Individual	Kenneth Lee Gilliard, 19	Local
Location of Incident	Woman’s apartment in North Charleston	Local
Date of Incident	Wednesday morning, January 7, 2026	Local
Arresting Agency	North Charleston Police Department	Local
Primary Charges	First-degree burglary, First-degree assault and battery	State-level (South Carolina)

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