Crime Stopper of the Lowcountry: News

State Credit Union Robbery‏

2010-01-28T17:31:00.000-05:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - At about 12:30 this afternoon (1/28/10) a white male subject entered the State Credit Union located at 6750 Rivers Avenue. The subject approached a teller and handed her a note demanding money. At no time did the subject indicate or display that he had a weapon.

The teller complied with the demands of the note and the subject was given an undetermined amount of money then exited the bank. The robber was last seen running in the area near a building adjacent to the bank.

The suspect is described as a white male, early to mid forties, 5’3 to 5’7, wearing a navy blue jacket, cap, light blue jeans, dark shoes.

No one was injured during the incident.

Deputy shot on James Island

2010-01-21T13:52:00.000-05:00

CHARLESTON, SC - Charleston County Deputies have shut down Grimball Road around Cuffey Lane to investigate a Thursday morning shooting involving a deputy.

According to Sheriff Al Cannon, who spent time with the deputy en route to the hospital, the shooting happened during a patrol in the area of an earlier burglary. Cannon said the deputy was shot twice, once in the forearm and once in the cheek.

He is responding to hospital staff, the sheriff said, and hopes to see him recover.

In a noon press conference after the shooting, Cannon said the deputy was patrolling the area of a burglary when shots were fired. Cannon said a car with three men inside was nearby but investigators have not determined they were involved in the shooting.

Cannon said the deteriorating weather conditions in the metro area are creating problems with the ongoing manhunt. Deputies at the scene are searching for two suspects but no one has been arrested yet.

James Island Elementary and Clark Academy are currently and temporarily on administrative lockdown as a response to the shooting. In a press released by the school district, Elliot Smalley said the schools are in lockdown as a safety precaution.

Smalley said James Island Middle School is on lockdown as well.

No official comment has been released about the condition of the injured deputy, but scanner traffic indicates that he has been transported to the hospital and is in serious but stable condition.

The Charleston County Sheriff's Office has not released the name of the injured deputy.

Because a deputy was involved, the State Law Enforcement Division will likely be called in for the investigation.

2 people shot during break-in at home

2010-01-13T07:15:00.000-05:00

Goose Creek, SC - Police are investigating a home invasion in the Greenview community early Tuesday in which two people were shot.

About 3:50 a.m., at least two people forced their way into a home at 118 Cuthbert Drive and shot the resident, Kenneth Simmons, 30, police Capt. John Grainger said. Simmons was treated at the scene for his injuries and released, Grainger said.

Another man, thought to have been perhaps one of Simmons' assailants, also was shot. He was found lying in the roadway a short distance from Simmons' house, Grainger said. Police had released a name, but Grainger later issued a statement saying his identity was uncertain.

The unidentified man was taken to Trident Regional Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery, Grainger said. He was in stable condition in the intensive care unit.

Police were dispatched to the area after several neighbors called 911 to report shots being fired. Investigators determined that the home invasion was not a random act and the suspects specifically targeted Simmons, Grainger said.

Source: Post and Courier

Goose Creek police seek help from the public

2010-01-06T07:11:00.001-05:00

GOOSE CREEK, SC - Goose Creek police are asking for help in identifying two women (pictured right) suspected of cashing a fraudulent check.

On Oct. 4, the women paid for a purchase at Lowe’s, which exceeded $1,000, with a check drawn on the account of a Mount Pleasant man, police said.

Body found in woods

2010-01-04T06:43:00.000-05:00

LINCOLNVILLE, SC - Two children playing in the woods Sunday afternoon made the grisly discovery of a partially clothed, decomposing body.

The children came across the body lying in the leaves off Pickens Street, an edge-of-town road along woods that drop away to a swamp. The body was male but was without identification or marks that would readily identify him, Charleston County sheriff's Maj. John Clark said.

Deputies are contacting nearby law enforcement agencies to check missing persons lists. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

"We are going to treat this as a homicide," Clark said. He did not release any further information.

Source: postandcourier.com

Deputies suspect missing man is a victim of foul play

2010-01-03T17:04:00.000-05:00

SUMMERVILLE, SC (AP) - Authorities say they suspect foul play in the disappearance of a 20-year-old South Carolina man whose friends and family say hasn't been seen in more than two weeks.

Berkeley County deputies told multiple media outlets that Larry Cook was last seen on Dec. 16 in Goose Creek.

Authorities say an acquaintance was found with Cook's car two days later in Tallahassee, Fla.

Investigators call him a person of interest, but say he has not been charged in the case.

Deputies won't specify why they think Cook was the victim of foul play.

Police seek help in mail thefts

2009-11-25T15:22:00.002-05:00

MT PLEASANT, SC - Mt Pleasant Police investigators are asking the public for help in identifying a man wanted for questioning in a number of mail thefts that have occurred in Mt Pleasant since July.

Police believe the suspect is taking mail out of residential mailboxes and using victims' checking account information to purchase expensive items such as laptop computers and GPS units, police public information officer Capt. Stan Gragg said. The purchases are being made at several area Wal-Mart stores.

After the purchase, the suspect is returning the items to the store for cash refunds, Gragg said.

Police have released surveillance videos from several Walmart stores that show a man they think is responsible for the thefts. In two of the videos, he is wearing a white polo shirt with blue stripes and a blue Nike hat. In other videos, he is wearing a a polo shirt and a baseball cap.

The suspect was last seen driving a late-model, white sedan.

Charleston Man shot in the leg

2009-11-25T07:53:00.001-05:00

CHARLESTON, SC - City of Charleston police say a man was shot in the leg about 9:45pm Tuesday on Cedarhurst Street in the West Ashley area.

The victim was transported to MUSC with non-life threatening injuries.

City of Charleston Detectives are trying to determine why the shooting occurred and who the suspects are.

No suspects named in Daniel Island shooting

2009-11-25T07:52:00.000-05:00

CHARLESTON, SC - Officials said a man was shot on Daniel Island Tuesday night a little before 9:30pm at the corner of St. Thomas Island Drive and Victoria Road.

The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office and Charleston Police Department are both investigating the shooting.

Berkeley County Sheriff Dan Moon said deputies were questioning a witness for any information.

There is no word on the extent of the victim's injuries. A suspect has not been named.

Reward increased to $6,000 in Walterboro murders

2009-11-24T08:01:00.001-05:00

Walterboro, SC - The City of Walterboro and Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry are teaming up to offer a $6,000 reward for information regarding several recent murders in the community. The reward offering was made a day after the funeral for the three shooting victims.

On the evening of November 9, 2009 at about 10:00 p.m. a drive by shooting occurred at the corner of McDaniel and Gerideau Streets in Walterboro. Three persons were killed in this shooting: 20 month old Shaniyah Burden, 21 year old Christopher Powell, and 45 year old Charles "Bubba Dog" Kittrell. Six other persons were wounded.

"At the funeral, Reverend Stevens made the point that there's a time for everything and that it is time for the community to speak," said Walterboro Mayor Bill Young.

The reward is offered to any person who plays a significant role in providing information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest in these murders.

The city of Walterboro is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrests of persons involved in this crime in addition to the normal Crime Stoppers reward of $1,000.

URGENT ALERT: CHILD ABDUCTED‏

2009-11-23T18:44:00.002-05:00

At about 5p this afternoon a Hispanic female pulled into the Post Office at 6401 Rivers Avenue with a one month old Hispanic male infant (Angel Miguel Perez) inside of the vehicle. The female reportedly left the vehicle running, with the infant inside, and ran inside to drop off mail. When she returned to the vehicle the child was gone.

A witness told Police that a stocky built black female was seen leaving the area of the post office with an infant child in hand. The female was reportedly seen getting in to a gray, four door compact vehicle.

The infant was reportedly wearing a blue shirt and pants and has dark hair.

It was the mother of Perez that left the vehicle running and ran in to the post office. The gray or silver four door compact vehicle is said to have a rear spoiler. SLED agents are on scene and working to issue an Amber Alert. This notification will come from SLED.

Anyone with information should contact North Charleston Police at 554-5700.

Officers educate businesses on how to avoid becoming victims of crime

2009-11-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - North Charleston Police Officers will visit local businesses today, handing out safety advisories and educating owners and employees on how to minimize their risks of falling victim to crime.

While the holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy and thanksgiving, it can also present unique dangers. The holiday season is a time when we can all become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime.

Make sure all outside entrances and inside security doors have deadbolt locks. If you use padlocks, they should be made of steel and kept locked at all times. Remember to remove serial numbers from your locks, to prevent unauthorized keys from being made.

All outside or security doors should be metal-lined and secured with metal security crossbars. Pin all exposed hinges to prevent removal.

Windows should have secure locks and burglar-resistant glass. Consider installing metal grates on all your windows except display windows.

Remove all expensive items from window displays at night and make sure you can see easily into your business after closing.

Light the inside and outside of your business, especially around doors, windows, skylights, or other entry points. Consider installing covers over exterior lights and power sources to deter tampering.

Check the parking lot for good lighting and unobstructed views.

Keep your cash register in plain view from the outside of your business, so it can be monitored by police during the day or at night. Leave it open and empty after closing.

Be sure your safe is fireproof and securely anchored. It should be kept in plain view. Leave it open when it's empty, use it to lock up valuables when you close. Remember to change the combination when an employee who has had access to it leaves your business.

First Federal Bank Robbery‏

2009-10-05T11:16:00.002-04:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - At about 10:00 this morning two black males armed with handguns entered the First Federal Bank at 7850 Rivers Ave. and demanded money from the teller. The subjects received an undetermined amount of currency and fled the business towards the Dollar General store located across the street.

One of the subjects is described as a black male approx. 6 feet tall wearing a white hat, white t-shirt over a long sleeve white shirt, dark pants, white tennis shoes, carrying a dark colored backpack. The second is described as a black male wearing a dark hat and light colored stocking over his face, dark shirt, and dark pants. The ages of the subjects are unknown at this time.

Second person dies from Sunday hit-and-run accident

2009-10-01T09:16:00.001-04:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - A second person has died as a result of a hit-and-run early Sunday morning in which the suspect is still on the loose.

Heather Hernandez, 25, of Summerville died Tuesday night at Trident Regional Medical Center from head injuries sustained in the crash, said Berkeley County Deputy Coroner George Oliver.

Hernandez was a passenger in a 1990 Honda that collided with a 1997 Ford pickup about 2:30 a.m. Sunday on College Park Road. The driver of the Honda, Alfredo Resendiz, 30, died Sunday.

The driver of the pickup ran away from the scene.

The Highway Patrol has identified the man as Alberto Jimenez Vasquez, Lance Cpl. Bob Beres said.

Vasquez is about 24 years old. He's about 5 feet tall and weighs about 100 pounds. He also goes by the names "Roberto" and "Alligator," Beres said.

Anyone with information can call the Highway Patrol at 953-6010.

North Charleston Narcotics Bust

2009-09-30T09:04:00.002-04:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - On September 28, 2009, Narcotics officers executed a search warrant at 6520 Dorchester Rd. Apt. 1700 G, pursuant to an investigation.

Officers observed marijuana in plain view and a search warrant for the residence was obtained. Seized were approximately 1 lb of marijuana, a .40 caliber pistol and various electronics equipment.

Twenty four year old Bradnon McNeill of North Charleston was arrested and charged with Possession Of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute and Possession Of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute Near School.

Amber Alert Issued for Missing Toddler

2009-09-29T08:44:00.003-04:00

UPDATE:
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - Two year old Geomari Young has been located and is unharmed. The toddler was brought to Investigators by a female relative of Geonaldo Young. The toddler was turned over to police in the parking lot of Church’s Chicken at Line and Meeting Street in Charleston. The incident remains under investigation.

Geonaldo Young is still being sought by police.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - At about 2:45 am dispatchers received a call that a female victim residing at the Alston Lakes apartments on Ward Avenue reporting that the female was assaulted by ex-boyfriend, Geonaldo R. Young (09-20-1982), who is the
father of her 2 year old child (Geomari Young).

According to the victim, the suspect entered her apartment and an altercation took place. The victim was attacked by the suspect and held against her will while the 2
year old child was inside of the residence.

The victim was able to escape the apartment and call police. The victim was treated at Roper Northwoods. Once police returned to the apartment, suspect Young and his two year old son were gone.

Young was believed to have been last seen driving a Mazda or similar vehicle possibly with Virginia license plate.

Geomari Young was last wearing a gray tank top and diaper.

Genaldo Young is charged with CDVHAN and kidnapping. He has been charged previously with armed robbery, ABHAN, and assaulting a police officer while resisting arrest.

Charleston City Police asking for help finding suspect

2009-09-28T19:12:00.003-04:00

CHARLESTON, SC - Charleston City Police are asking the publice for help finding a man accused of breaking into two homes last week.

William Peter Beckman, 44, of Charleston is charged with burglary in the first degree and burglary in the second degree.

Beckman (pictured to the right) is a white male, approximately 5'6", 130 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. He has numerous convictions for burglary and grand larceny and was charged on Sept. 18th with criminal domestic violence. He drives a black, 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck with South Carolina license plate # AEV-662. The pickup has one headlight out and a spare tire on the rear driver's side.

Charleston City Police say the first break-in happened Wednesday night at a house on Wando Shores Drive. The owner had left a sliding glass door unlocked. When she returned Thursday a rifle and a shotgun were missing.

According to an incident report Beckman cut the woman's grass regularly.

The second break-in occurred Thursday night at a house on Palm Cove Drive. The homeowner told police someone broke a window pane in a child's bedroom and grabbed a cell phone from inside the room.

Sheriff's Office seeks driver involved in hit-and-run

2009-09-23T16:24:00.001-04:00

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC - The Charleston County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help locating the driver of a dark-color late model vehicle, possibly a Ford Mustang, that was involved in a hit-and-run accident Monday night at 9422 U.S. Highway 78 near the Ladson fairgrounds.

The victim was operating a moped travelling west on U.S. 78 toward Summerville when he was struck. He was transported by EMS to an area hospital but did not suffer any life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

Leads sought in robberies

2009-09-16T09:43:00.001-04:00

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC - The Charleston County Sheriff's Office is looking for leads in two armed robberies that occurred on Monday, September 14, 2009.

The Sunoco on U.S. Highway 78 in Ladson was held up early Monday. Ancrum's bar on S.C. Highway 162 in Hollywood was held up Monday night.

A man walked into the Sunoco at 9488 Highway 78 just after midnight Monday wearing a gray jacket, blue pants, gloves and a face mask, according to the incident report.

He brandished a pocketknife and forced a clerk to give him $15 to $20 out of the cash register and a carton of cigarettes, according to the incident report. The clerk told a deputy the robber ran toward the KOA campground.

The suspect is described as a white male between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall, with reddish hair sticking out of the back of the face mask. The store's video recording system was out of commission when the robbery occurred, according to the report.

A man and woman walked into Ancrum's at 6824 Highway 162 about 11 p.m. Monday wearing white plastic grocery bags over their heads with eyeholes cut out, according to that incident report.

The man ordered everyone down on the floor, then fired a black handgun toward a wall, according to the report.

The woman held out another plastic bag. The man ordered a woman to put her purse into the bag, and the bar owner put in $500 from the cash register, according to the report.

The pair then ran out of the bar. A witness told a deputy he saw a suspicious red Ford Explorer in the parking lot at the time.

Source: Post & Courier

Son Arrested for Fatal Shooting Death of Father

2009-09-01T17:26:00.001-04:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - At about 8:30 p.m. Monday, Officers responded to a shooting incident at 5276 Hartford Circle. Once on scene, officers located the victim (82 year old Creighton Kelly) suffering from gunshot wounds. EMS responded and transported the victim to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators were able to identify and detain the suspect, 47 year old Dale Creighton Kelly (the victim’s son). Through investigation it was determined that the suspect was in his bedroom throwing things around and punching the door. The victim went to investigate and the suspect shot three rounds from a 20 gauge shotgun through the closed door, with the rounds striking the victim.

Detectives executed a search warrant at the incident location and located the murder weapon. Nine other firearms were removed from the home for safekeeping.

Dale Creighton Kelly is charged with murder and is expected to go before a bond judge on today.

Deputies search for robbery suspect

2009-09-01T17:08:00.000-04:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - Dorchester County Sheriff's deputies are looking for a man who robbed a check-cashing business this morning on Ashley Phosphate Road.

Capt. Jim Nettles said the suspect entered Check Into Cash at 3748 Ashley Phosphate Road about 10 a.m. with a dark-colored revolver and demanded cash.

The suspect is described as a black male in his late teens or early 20s, between 5-foot and 5-foot-5-inches tall and wearing a hoodie. The amount of money stolen has not been determined, according to Nettles.

The suspect took the money, exited and ran around the back of the building, setting off a 1 1/2 hour search. North Charleston police helped set up a perimeter and deputies used a K-9 unit during the search, but were unsuccessful in locating the suspect.

North Charleston Neighborhoods Join Forces to Stomp out Crime

2009-08-04T09:47:00.002-04:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - On Tuesday, August 4th citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses and local officials in over 10,000 communities and military bases worldwide will join forces to mark the 26th Annual National Night Out.

The North Charleston Police Department, in conjunction with national sponsor Target Stores, will sponsor the 26th Annual National Night Out event Tuesday, August 4, 2009 from 6 p.m. –9 p.m.

At 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 4th, Mayor Keith Summey, along with Police Chief Jon Zumalt and Housing Authority Executive Director George Saldana, will join residents of the Horizon Village community to kick off a neighborhood cookout and crime prevention walk.

Similar events will occur simultaneously in neighborhoods throughout the city to include: Forest Hills I, Wando Woods, Midland Park/Stall Road Corridor, Charleston Farms, Olde North Charleston, Cameron Terrace, Oak Preserve, Union Heights and Accabee. Citizens are asked to turn on their porch lights as a sign of unity and to let the criminals know that the City of North Charleston is organized and fighting back.

National Night Out is designed to (1) heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs; (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit, police and community relations; and (4) send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods around the world are organized and fighting back.

Nationally, over 33 million people will participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’ this year.

Suspects sought in robbery of North American Loan

2009-07-31T11:36:00.004-04:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - The North Charleston Police is investigating the robbery of North American Loan, located on 4945 Dorchester Rd.

On Thursday, July 30, 2009 at approximately 12:00 p.m., two black male suspects entered the loan company, jumped over the counter and demanded money at gunpoint.

One of the two suspects (pictured below) pointed a revolver at the manager of the location and struck her in the face, knocking cell phone out of her hand. The suspects then grabbed the cell phone and $300 from the cash drawer and fled on foot in the direction of Montague Avenue.

Suspect #1 is approximately 20-25 years of age and wore a red shirt and blue jeans. He is approximately 5'6" tall and 140 lbs.

Suspect #2 is approximately 5'8" tall and weighs 140 lbs. and wore a yellow shirt and blue jeans.

North Charleston Police investigate early morning shooting near school

2009-07-28T10:55:00.003-04:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - The North Charleston Police Department is investigating an early morning shooting near the Chicora School of Communications.

According to reports, NCPD Officers responded to Leland Street and Florida Avenue at about 5:20 a.m. and found a man lying on the corner, holding his right leg.

Detectives on the scene have centered their investigation around a bicycle and bullet casings found on Leland and Florida Streets.

North Charleston Police make several drug arrests

2009-07-27T19:54:00.002-04:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - On Friday, July 24, 2009, NCPD Narcotics officers found multiple grams of cocaine, materials used to make cocaine and three guns inside a house with a four-month-old child at 2304 Bailey Drive.

Police arrested seven people who lived inside the home, including 23-year-old Ciara K. Smith, who police say tried to conceal 1.7 grams of cocaine in her mouth.

Police arrested Smith, 22-year-old Rachel Smith, 18-year-old Shayla Farrie Wilson, 19-year-old Terrion R. Johnson, 20-year-old Latrell D. Johnson, 26-year-old Reginald A. Dunston and 20-year-old Lauren Sophia McFadden.

All are charged with manufacturing cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and possession with intent to distribute cocaine within a half-mile of a school.

Lauren Sophia McFadden was also charged with child endangerment because her four-month-old child was inside the home. Reginald A. Dunston was also charged with having a handgun with an obliterated serial number.

Police arrested two more people on Friday after they seized about 1.4 grams of heroin and several syringes from inside a home at 1952 Burton Lane.

James Lee Smalls, 52, and Anthony Jerome Rollerson, 56, both of North Charleston, were charged with possession of heroin.

Police arrested a North Charleston man on Thursday, July 23, 2009, after they said they found cocaine, marijuana, a digital scale and hundreds of rounds of ammunition inside his home at 8069 Vermont Street.

Officers charged Marcellus Raynard Brooks, 24, with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and assault on police while resisting arrest.

Marcellus Raynard Brooks was on monitored house arrest for a pending federal weapons charge.