Vandals deface Daniel Island School Buddy Bench

The following incidents were taken from the City of Charleston Police Department’s crime reports within Patrol Team 5, which covers Daniel Island, Clements Ferry Road, and parts of Cainhoy, between Aug. 16-31. 

 

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

On Aug. 17, an officer was dispatched to Palm Cove Drive in response to a collision that was reported as a severe crash from a mobile phone alert. Upon arrival, the officer observed an SUV stopped on the side of the road and a driver standing next to it. The driver claimed she was distracted by her phone, which caused her to rear-end a parked vehicle. While speaking with the driver, the officer suspected that she was under the influence of alcohol. The offender was unable to stand without swaying, had slurred speech, and had watery eyes. She was unable to pass a field sobriety test, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, and was transported to the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center.

 

THEFT FROM A BUILDING

A woman contacted police on Aug. 19 and advised that an engagement ring, two wedding bands, and two luxury watches had been stolen from her residence off Clements Ferry Road.

The complainant did not see who took the jewelry but noted that health care aides had access to the property and a confrontation had occurred with one of the employees. The case is under investigation.

 

BURGLARY/BREAKING AND ENTERING

On Aug. 20, Team 5 was called to Sawyer Circle Apartments after receiving a call about a burglary. The apartment was being used for the week by a visitor, who stated that he had left the apartment for work on Aug. 19 and left the back door unlocked. When he returned, he noticed that items were missing, including a handgun valued at $500 and a 24-round magazine that had been in the bedroom. Another handgun with a 24-round magazine, valued at $500, had been on a table in the living room and was also missing. Additionally, three pairs of brand-name sneakers, with a total value of $600, were missing from their boxes that were stored near the living room. There was no evidence of forced entry. A case number was issued.

 

A burglary occurred on Aug. 24 at a construction site near Cainhoy Road. The site asset manager advised that someone had broken into two shipping containers used for storing tools. Locks that had secured the units had been cut. The stolen items included two gas-powered saws valued at $1,500 each and a generator worth $600. The manager said there were several cameras installed on the property. Footage will be reviewed.

 

VANDALISM

On Aug. 25, a school resource officer at the Daniel Island School was notified that the Buddy Bench at the school had been vandalized by an unknown individual who threw white paint on the bench at some point over the weekend. The bench, installed in 2024 to foster student friendships,  is in Freedom Park directly behind the school. Surveillance cameras were not available to capture the incident.

 

IDENTITY THEFT

A victim met with police on Aug. 29 to report that he had been a victim of identity theft. He received a notice from his credit report that an unknown individual used his Social Security number to open an online auto loan account. The fraudulent account had been opened in July and has a balance of $20,871. An investigation is pending.