Manhunt on St. Helena

ST. HELENA ISLAND, SC (May 10, 2012/12:30 PM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is engaged in an active manhunt for an armed suspect in the area of Folly Rd and Seaside Rd.

A perimeter has been established in the area of Folly Rd, Seaside Rd and Simmons Rd and deputies are actively searching for 23-year old Trehon Boone in relation to a domestic dispute that led to shots being fired in the area of 45 Folly Rd on St. Helena.

Deputies responded to the area of Folly Rd and Seaside Rd at approximately 11:30 am in reference to a reported domestic dispute occurring between Boone and his girlfriend. The victim advised that during the altercation, Boone had fired a gun into the ground in her direction. As deputies approached, Boone fired several more shots into the air as he fled into the nearby woods.

At this time, no injuries have been reported as a result of the shots fired. Boone is considered to be armed and dangerous, and should not be approached. The Sheriff’s Office is asking residents in the area to remain in their homes and immediately contact 911 to report any suspicious person(s). Boone is a black male, approximately 6’02”, 250 lbs. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans, but is believed to have since removed his shirt.

Two Arrested with Stolen Air-Conditioning Units

BEAUFORT, SC (May 9, 2012/8:30 AM) – Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office investigators have arrested two men in connection with a recent rash of air-conditioning units stolen and scraped for copper.

Ryan Scott Blount

Travis Kyle Walls

Twenty-three year old Ryan Scott Blount of Port Royal and 28-year old Travis Kyle Walls of Beaufort were arrested yesterday afternoon during the course of a traffic stop conducted in the area of Hwy 21 and Parker Dr. The two men were identified as persons of interest when investigators tracked their multiple recent sales of copper at several local area scrap metal yards.

Last Friday, investigators were able to recover the remains of ten dismantled A/C units sold by Blount and Walls between scrap yards in Hardeeville and Burton. Two of the units were identified by serial numbers as stolen, one from a residence in Pleasant Point on Lady’s Island and the other from a residence in Mink Point in Burton.

At the time of the traffic stop, the men were transporting six additional A/C units, which are believed to have been stolen out of Charleston County. More than two dozen A/C unit thefts have been reported in Northern Beaufort County over the last two months. These investigations remain active as the Sheriff’s Office attempts to identify the units that have been recovered, as well as locate those still missing. Investigators will also collaborate with Charleston County authorities for possible thefts and metal sales occurring there.

Blount and Walls are currently facing charges of Receiving Stolen Goods and Transport of Stolen Non-Ferrous Metal without a Permit. Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.

Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, such as persons seen tampering with and/or transporting A/C units. Anyone with information is asked to contact either SSgt. J. Fraser at 843-255-3416 or the Beaufort County Dispatch Center at 843-524-2777.

Air Conditioning Unit/Non-Ferrous Metal Thefts

BEAUFORT, SC (May 2, 2012/2:30 PM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a rash of air conditioning unit thefts occurring throughout Northern Beaufort County over the last two months.

Since March 1st, 2012, the Sheriff’s Office has received more than two dozen reports of air conditioning units that have been damaged or stolen from vacant properties on Lady’s Island, St. Helena Island, and Seabrook. These units are targeted for the copper they contain, which thieves are able to quickly strip from the units and sell for scrap.

Increasing values of non-ferrous metals, precious metals, and other raw materials has fueled the secondhand scraping market, inciting spikes in the thefts of items such as catalytic converters, manhole covers, copper wiring, and stainless steel.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds citizens that any person wishing to transport and sell any nonferrous metals, including copper and catalytic converters, to a scrap metal dealer must first obtain a permit to transport and sell from the sheriff’s office in the county where the seller resides. Motorists stopped while transporting these materials must be able to provide a copy of this permit.

Citizens are also asked to be on the lookout for and report suspicious activity, such as a vehicle transporting multiple A/C units or scrap metals, or persons seen tampering with and/or removing an A/C unit. Property owners are encouraged to regularly check vacant properties.

Anyone with information regarding recent thefts is asked to contact either Investigator MSgt. J. Purdy at 843-255-3403 or SSgt. J. Fraser at 843-255-3416.

Sheriff’s Office Investigating Armed Robbery

LADY’S ISLAND, SC (May 2, 2012/12:00 PM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating last night’s armed robbery of a Lady’s Island restaurant.

At approximately 10:30 pm last night, Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Peking Chinese restaurant (10 Sam’s Point Way) in reference to a robbery occurring minutes earlier. Employees advised that two masked men armed with handguns had entered the restaurant and demanded money.

Employees complied with the suspects’ demands, handing over an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. Both suspects then fled the area on foot, headed in the direction of the nearby SCB&T bank. No injuries were reported as a result of the robbery.

The suspects were described as two black males wearing ski masks, black shirts, blue pants, and gloves.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact either Investigator Sgt. J. Gobel at 843-255-3421 or the Beaufort County Dispatch Center at 843-524-2777.

Sheriff’s Office Promotions

BEAUFORT, SC (May 2, 2012/10:00 AM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office wishes to congratulate the following personnel in recognition of their achievement and dedication. Effective as of this morning’s ceremony, the following personnel have been promoted in rank:

May 2012 Promotions

• Patrolman First Class Seth Reynells: promoted to Lance Corporal Southern Enforcement
• Patrolman First Class Brittany Chaplin: promoted to Lance Corporal Animal Control
• Patrolman First Class Brian Mackail: promoted to Lance Corporal Northern Enforcement

Missing Person Update

Caroline Gibson

BLUFFTON, SC – (May 1, 2012 9:45 AM) There is no new information to update in the Sun City missing person case. Investigators have pursued any and all leads even loosely tied to Caroline Gibson, but there has been no traceable activity by Caroline Gibson since her disappearance was reported.  Searches by ground, water, and air throughout Beaufort and Jasper County based on last known activity and previous history as provided by family members have yielded no contact.

Gibson’s failure to contact family members adds to the concern surrounding her disappearance; however, no evidence suggesting foul play  or that she did not leave of her on free will or accord has been found to date. The investigation remains focused as a missing person case as there has been no evidence uncovered suggesting anything to the contrary.

Investigators will continue to pursue any information received with due urgency, and anyone with information is asked to contact either Investigator SSgt. B. Chapman at 843-255-3417 or the Beaufort County Dispatch Center at 843-524-2777.

Rose Hill Plantation Security Guard Arrested on Voyeurism Charges

BLUFFTON, SC (April 27, 2012/4:30 PM) – A Bluffton security officer has been arrested for Voyeurism and Indecent Exposure in connection with several incidents occurring at a Bluffton gated community.

Jeremy Leigh Mack

Thirty-one year old Jeremy Mack, a security guard for Rose Hill Plantation, was arrested today on two counts of Voyeurism and one count of Indecent Exposure following complaints of inappropriate conduct occurring at the community’s guard gate.

An investigation was initiated in March 2012 after one of Mack’s co-workers reported finding a cell phone hidden in a roll of toilet paper inside the bathroom at the gatehouse. During the course of the ensuing investigation, it was discovered that Mack had utilized the phone’s video camera on several occasions to record two fellow female security officers in the bathroom without their knowledge or consent.

A third female officer also reported that Mack had exposed himself to her on one occasion while working together at the gatehouse.

Mack was arrested without incident and transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center where he remains awaiting bond hearings.