Police Blotter - April 21, 2016

Suspects steal merchandise from vendor tents at VCO

City of Charleston Police officers with Daniel Island-based Team 5 were called to the Volvo Car Open grounds during the tournament week in response to reported thefts from three merchandise tents. According to the police report filed on the incident, two suspects, both local high school students, were seen entering the property on April 7 around 1:30 a.m. by on-site security officers.

One suspect, described in the report as a white male, age 18, was detained. A second suspect, also a white male, fled the scene but was later identified. The pair allegedly took some $3000 worth of sunglasses, jewelry and other merchandise from the tents. Most of the stolen items have been recovered. The case remains under investigation. No charges have been filed as of yet.

Burglaries/thefts

In March, an unknown suspect or suspects broke into a construction trailer parked on Island Park Drive and removed $1200 worth of electronics and vehicle parts. The trailer had been locked the evening before. The case is still under investigation.

Also last month, about $1000 worth of fishing gear was stolen from a boat under repair at a marina on the upper Cainhoy Peninsula. According to police, rods and reels were taken form the vessel. It was not known the exact date and time the thefts occurred.

Two burglaries were reported from the same location on Daniel Island, a residence on Pierce Street, within days of each other.

A golf cart with the keys in the ignition was taken from the victim’s unlocked and open garage just before midnight on March 28. A neighbor witnessed people driving the golf cart and followed them until it was abandoned near the intersection of Pierce and Hooper Streets. The victim got the vehicle back, but the keys were missing. Two days later, the vehicle was once again taken from the victim’s open garage, this time during daylight hours. The golf cart was later recovered behind a business on Seven Farms Drive. Police report that the vehicle was undamaged and apparently was just taken for joy riding.

A golf cart was also taken from a residence in Smythe Park on April 16. In this incident, the vehicle again had the keys in the ignition and was removed from an unlocked garage. The golf cart was recovered about two hours later in an area behind Summit Place. Officers urged residents to remember to keep homes and garages locked. Both cases remain under investigation.

"This illustrates for us the simplicity of stealing a vehicle, or merchandise or anything else and the need for us to take those basic (preventative) steps,” said Lt. James Byrne, commander of Daniel Island-based Team 5. “…When we make it easier, it increases the chances for victimization.”

According to Lt. Byrne, a burglary also took place at Bishop England High School during the campus’ Spring Break earlier this month. The parties responsible broke a window at the school to gain access to the office area and stole medication, he said. The incident took place sometime between April 1 and 2 and remains under investigation.

In a separate case, tools were reported stolen from a construction site off Clements Ferry Road on April 5. According to a police report filed, the items were taken from a truck at the new Philip Simmons Elementary/Middle School site while the owner of the vehicle was in a meeting.

On April 10, a resident in Beresford Hall notified police that someone had entered his residence during the evening of March 30 and had taken several items, including bottles of alcohol, a painting, and other home accessories. Some of the items were later recovered in his backyard.

Accident leads to arrest

A driver who hit a stop sign on March 21 on Seven Farms Drive was later arrested when officers discovered the individual had an active warrant for his arrest for a probation and parole violation. The suspect was taken into custody.

Wire fraud

Several weeks ago, a case of wire fraud was discovered at a business on the Charleston Regional Parkway on the Cainhoy Peninsula after an executive at the company noticed some discrepancies in the online payroll system. According to a police report, a suspect or suspects had accessed the business payroll account and created fictitious employees and paychecks. The case is being investigated by the City of Charleston Police White Collar Crimes Division.