This is how we do it in SC

[Avenger29]

2 arrests made in theft case
4-wheelers, tools stolen from Abbeville residents

February 3, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Investigators with the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office have announced a pair of arrests in connection with a rash of thefts and burglaries centered around the Bulls Horne Road area in the northwest part of the county.
At least seven residents — likely more — have been victimized, with the stolen items ranging from lawn mowers to tools and chain saws. By far the most popular item being targeted by thieves has been the recreational four-wheeler.
Resident Charles Hall received a rudimentary wake-up call courtesy of his dogs recently, one that sparked an exciting chain of events — including a high-speed chase.
“My dogs started barking around 3:30 a.m. so I got up and there was a car going down the road,” Hall said. “I got on the front porch and here came that same little car back by, which I thought was kind of strange being that it was that late.
“Then I heard my Suzuki four-wheeler crank up in a field and I said to myself, ‘I know what they’re trying to do.’ I grabbed my .44 Magnum and tore off down the road after them. We had got maybe a half-mile away and I took a shot at the guy (on the four-wheeler).
“Right then he decided to abandon ship. It was in a ditch, so I had to call a wrecker the next day, but I got my four-wheeler back. There have been a lot of people to have things stolen around here. It’s just like a little ring or a little gang of them doing it.”
Another resident, Steve Adams, nearly had his new push lawnmower taken during the early morning hours.
Nearly, that is, since he also caught the thieves in the act.
“They had come in over the fence the other night, and the next morning my new push mower was way down in the back of my property,” Adams said. “It was brand new. I’d never even mowed grass with it.”
Adams was awakened when he heard a commotion outside near a shed. After investigating briefly, Adams fired his shotgun into the air to discourage any would-be thieves who might happen to be nearby — just in case.
“I guess they didn’t want to take it with them after all,” Adams said. “But they got my neighbor’s four-wheeler the other day. You can’t hardly do anything now with all the stealing going on over here.”
Investigators with the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Department had been aware of the break-ins and thefts for some time and were conducting an investigation.
That investigation has resulted in a pair of arrests.
“Over the last few months we’ve had a rash of lawn mowers and four-wheelers being stolen,” said Chief Deputy Marion Johnson. “Last week we did make an arrest on a subject that has turned up some stolen property from Anderson County and some from here in Abbeville County.”
Arrested last Thursday were 40-year-old Daniel Tracy Black and 42-year-old Wanda Diane Reid, both of 1116 Bulls Horne Road in Abbeville County.
After investigators executed a warrant at the suspects’ home, a search turned up about 8 grams of methamphetamines, or “ice” (street value of around $1,000), two firearms (an 870 Remington shotgun and a .45-caliber handgun), various ammunition and two check books and a class ring belonging to an Aiken man.
The “ice” was found lying out on the kitchen counter.
Both suspects were federally prohibited from possessing firearms. Each is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamines, possession of stolen property and subsequent weapons law violations.
“We believe (Black) was one of several that were involved in (the theft ring), and we still are investigating it,” Johnson said. “Another suspect involved with (Black) is currently incarcerated in Anderson County.”
Johnson said the mobility of four-wheelers and the liquidity of such items on the black market makes them very difficult to trace and track down once stolen.
“These types of items can get gone, and in a matter of hours, and be a state or two away,” he said. “That makes it hard to recover them when they’re being transported to other counties and states. It makes it tough.”
Johnson added that Black is on probation in Georgia and out on bond after being charged with similar crimes in nearby Anderson County.
He says things have quieted down in the Bulls Horne Road area considerably since the arrests.
“(Black) is still incarcerated, and it’s been a lot quieter up there than it’s been in a while,” Johnson said. Residents hope that continues.
“I hope this (arrest) will slow things down,” Hall said.

 

[thexrayboy]

Meth.....one of the most evil, insidious and destructive chemicals known to man.

 

[Beagle-zebub]

Ha, Aiken. My nuclear family lived there before I was born. Haven't heard of the other towns.

In more densely populated (read: "liberal") states, the guy who fired at the ATV-thief would have been in more trouble than the thief himself. I'm proud to say my family is from South Carolina going back at least half a dozen generations.

 

[David904]

Aiken... Wow. I have nuclear family in Ridge Spring! Such a sleepy town... I never would have thought of meth infecting that area.

 

[Beagle-zebub]

Yeah, my dad was working at the Savannah River Plant for Dupont at the time, I believe. He had to wear one of those little badges that detects whether you've been unduly dosed with radiation during your work-day.