The Selma Times-Journal

The old adage &8220;if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is&8221; proved to be sound advice Friday night.

Selma Police officers arrested and charged Sylvester Lewis, 46, for breaking and entering a vehicle at 2:45 a.m.

Lewis allegedly stole a Nikon D200 Camera from Selma Times-Journal photographer Amy Collins.

He attempted to sell the camera, valued around $1,500, for $20 police said.

Collins unloaded her car at her residence. She had to make a couple of trips and came back to find the camera missing. She called police.

Officer James Bevel responded to the call. He alerted police about the missing camera. Officer R. Johnson said that earlier he had stopped Lewis and questioned him about the camera. Johnson told Bevel that Lewis had the camera in his possession.

Officers began to search the area where Lewis was reported ast seen. Within an hour, officers found Lewis and the camera at 1105 Broad Street. Lewis admitted taking the camera from the car, police said.

After Detective Beauty Benjamin questioned him, police booked Lewis into the Dallas County Jail where he remains under a $10,000 bond.

Lewis has several prior arrests dating back several years. Police said Lewis had a history of stealing from vehicles in the area.

The charge of breaking and entering a vehicle is a Class C felony. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence from one year and one day to10 years.

Felony sentences include hard labor in Alabama. If he has been convicted of felony before, his sentence could be as high as 20 years.

The Selma Times-Journal is very appreciative to the fast response of the police, especially Collins.