Former halfway house resident arrested in West Ashley neighborhood

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - A former resident of a halfway house in the Carolina Bay neighborhood was arrested outside the house on Monday after he was seen looking through people’s windows.

Brian Toler was charged with trespassing, giving false information and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent offense.

A Carolina Bay neighbor saw Toler walk onto his porch, check the front door and look into his windows.

The neighbor said he saw Toler do this to other houses on his street as well, which is when he called police.

When officers found Toler, he first gave them a false identity.

Toler also said he lived in the Oxford House, which is a halfway house for recovering alcohol and drug addicts.

Several neighbors in Carolina Bay said they are frustrated a halfway house is in their community.

“I don’t understand why we would have a halfway house here, especially with lots of children around,” Carolina Bay Larry Taylor said.

Oxford House resident Alexander Andracchio confirmed Toler stayed at the house in the past, but was evicted and told he could not come back without permission.

“We really want to shed a good light for Oxford House,” Andracchio said. “We don’t want people to think that all of the people that come out of there are bad, but there are definitely bad apples.”

Officers also found a loaded gun in Toler's jacket pocket.

A judge set bond at $75,000 for Toler on Tuesday.

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