Police Blotter
Law enforcement officers with Daniel Island-based Team 5 of the City of Charleston Police Department are investigating a number of thefts from both vehicles and buildings that occurred in the area over the last several weeks.
A Pierce Street resident notified police on June 2 that someone had broken a window on his vehicle to gain access. Money left inside the vehicle “in plain view” was taken, according to Lt. James Byrne of Team 5. Police suspect juveniles may be responsible for the theft.
In another incident, a resident in Pierce Park alerted police that someone came into his garage around midnight on June 17 with a flashlight and began looking around. The homeowner was actually in the garage working at the time, and once the suspect saw him, the suspect fled on foot leaving a bicycle at the scene. The perpetrator was believed to be in his late teens or early twenties. It was later determined that the flashlight he was using to search the garage had been stolen out of the victim’s unlocked car.
Police also took reports on two stolen golf carts. The first was taken sometime between June 5 and 7, while parked in the driveway of a Pierce Park home. The cart was unsecured at the time and likely had keys in the ignition, stated Lt. Byrne. It was recovered on Blakeway Street on June 8. A witness told police she saw “a young man” on the golf cart. He then reportedly jumped off and fled the scene on foot. No arrests have been made in that case as of yet.
A golf cart used for maintenance at an apartment complex at the end of Seven Farms Drive was also reported stolen. The victim reported it missing on June 18. It was found a short time later at the soccer/lacrosse field behind the 305 Seven Farms Apartments complex. The officer who located the vehicle apprehended and arrested a juvenile in connection with the crime. The investigation is on-going.
A contactor doing work at a business on the Charleston Regional Parkway off Clements Ferry Road notified police on June 20 that someone had stolen a high-end drill from the site. The victim set it down to get more tools, but when he returned it was gone. A construction site in Daniel Island Park was also hit by a thief or thieves, according to police. Sometime between June 10 and 11, someone took a large quantity of hardwood flooring that was to be installed in a new home. The site was unsecured at the time of the theft, said Lt. Byrne.
A kayak tied up at a dock in Daniel Island Park was stolen between May 31 and June 3, according to police.
Several bikes have also been reported stolen in recent weeks. A bike locked at a bike rack at 305 Seven Farms Apartments was taken sometime between June 4 and 5. The victim notified police of the theft on June 8. The same day, another bike was taken from the bike rack at the Daniel Island Library.
A Mount Pleasant man who took a mini-excavator for a spin at the construction site for the new Philip Simmons Elementary and Middle Schools has been charged and arrested with grand larceny. The suspect was trespassing on the site when he got his own personal vehicle stuck, according to police. He then located and started the mini-excavator in an apparent attempt to try to pull his car out. After trying unsuccessfully to free his vehicle, he drove the mini-excavator to a different area and left it. Oh the morning of June 3, the suspect was located and identified.
Police recently identified some stolen property that was discovered at a Daniel Island residence by a family member. Many of the items had been taken from recent B&Es, including keys to cars. No arrests have been made as of yet but the investigation is continuing.
A flim-flam was reported to police on June 3. According to Lt. Byrne, the victim in the case attempted to purchase a car through Craigslist but got swindled when asked to pay for the purchase with iTunes gift cards. The victim, a Barfield Park resident, complied with the request, to the tune of $1,500, but never received the car.
An aggravated assault with a firearm occurred on June 8, stated police. The incident, which reportedly stemmed from road rage, took place on I-526 West. One vehicle reportedly cut the other off, which resulted in the offended party raising a shotgun in the direction of the other driver. The suspect fled the scene. An investigation is ongoing.
A Beresford Hall resident notified police on June 14 that her ex-boyfriend had punched her car, leaving numerous dents. He was later arrested and charged with damage to personal property.
Police were notified on June 17 that someone had thrown a rock at a window of a bank on Daniel Island. The window was shattered, but did not fall out of the frame. No entry was gained to the bank.
An arrest is pending in a case involving a disgruntled employee who was terminated from a business on Fairchild Street. The suspect reportedly made threats against his former manager, who notified police.
A diamond ring was found on the sidewalk behind a business on Seven Farms Drive on June 10. Team 5 has not yet been able to identify the owner of the ring.
Anyone with information that may help police solve crimes is asked to call (843) 743-7200.