Sheriff’s Office Investigating Burglaries, Shots Fired

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC (May 6, 2013/11:30 AM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of break-ins in two North end neighborhoods, one of which ended in shots being fired at a homeowner.

Just before 6 am yesterday morning, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a Widewater Rd home (Spanish Wells Plantation) in reference to multiple reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, they met with a 58-year old male and his 62-year old wife who advised that an intruder on the property had fired shots at them.

The victims reported that the security alarm for the guesthouse had been activated at approximately 5:45 am. They then observed an unknown black male wearing a white sweatshirt and dark pants walking through their yard. The male victim verbally challenged the suspect, at which time the suspect pulled out a gun and fired multiple rounds at the victims.

Neither victim was injured, however, an estimated $1500 in damage was sustained when several bullets penetrated the home. The suspect fled the area on foot, and it is not believed that he was able to steal any property from the home. The victims advised that the guesthouse was unoccupied and unsecured, but that the alarm had been set. The same residence was previously burglarized on April 19th, with over $3,200 worth of property (electronics, sunglasses, briefcase) being stolen from the guesthouse and a vehicle.

Two other break-ins believed to have occurred early yesterday morning were also discovered within Spanish Wells Plantation, at homes on Brahm’s Point Rd. In one, the homeowner reported that he’d heard someone walking around downstairs at approximately 5:15 am, but assumed it was just another family member. When he went down a short time later, it appeared that various drawers had been rummaged through and a side door to the home was ajar. Two computers, a purse, and a camera (estimated total value: $6,035) were reportedly stolen from the residence. It also appeared that entry had been made to the victim’s Ford F150, but nothing was stolen from it. Both the home and vehicle had been left unsecured by the owner.

At the other Brahm’s Point Rd home, a victim reported that an unknown suspect had made entry to his unlocked Nissan Xterra and had stolen several pairs of sunglasses and a GPS unit (total estimated value: $600).

As the Spanish Wells Plantation thefts were being investigated, two additional car break-ins were reported in the nearby Old House Creek neighborhood. In both cases, the vehicles had been left unsecured by their owners. A computer and cash (total value: $540) were stolen from a Jaguar at one home and a GPS unit (value: $100) was stolen from a Chevy Tahoe at another home. Based on the close proximity and coinciding time frame, it is likely the thefts in both neighborhoods are related.

Anyone with information is asked to contact either Investigator Cpl. D. Seifert at 843-255-3414 or Crimestoppers.

MAKE THE CALL, STAY ANONYMOUS, EARN a REWARD: To report crime, citizens can call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) or text the word TIPSC with a message to CRIMES (274637).

Sheriff’s Office Investigating Shots Fired

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC (May 6, 2013/10:30 AM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting incident that occurred at a North end apartment complex late last night.

Just before midnight, deputies responded to reports of shots fired at Sandalwood Terrace (8 Southwood Park Dr). Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a 22-year old female who advised that she had been sitting on the couch in her living room with her 4-month old son, when she heard a noise outside.

When she saw the silhouette of a man outside, she quickly shut the front door. At that moment, multiple shots were fired into the apartment from outside. Taking cover with her baby, the victim waited until the gunfire ceased then checked on her other child, a 5-year old boy, who had been sleeping upstairs. No injuries were sustained during the attack.

Approximately $1500 in structural damage was sustained as a result of the gunfire. No suspect description was available, and the motive for the shooting has not been determined.

MAKE THE CALL, STAY ANONYMOUS, EARN a REWARD: To report crime, citizens can call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) or text the word TIPSC with a message to CRIMES (274637).

Sheriff’s Office Investigating Strong Arm Robbery

ST. HELENA ISLAND, SC (May 6, 2013/10:00 AM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a robbery and assault that occurred Friday evening on a St. Helena roadway.

Just after 6 pm Friday night, Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of the Penn Center on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Dr in reference several anonymous reports of a possible fight in progress. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a 52-year old male who advised he’d been robbed.

The victim reported that he was walking down the road when a vehicle occupied by four black males pulled up beside him. The subjects asked the victim to buy cigarettes for them. When the victim refused, the subjects got out and assaulted the victim, reportedly hitting him with sticks until he blacked out. The subjects took an undisclosed amount of cash from the victim, got back into the vehicle and fled the scene.

The victim, who was grossly intoxicated at the time of the attack, suffered minor injuries for which he refused any medical attention. He was unable to provide any description of the suspects. Several conflicting descriptions were provided for the possible suspect vehicle, which was described as green, red, or gold in color.

The Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone with information contact either Investigator SSgt. J. Fraser at 843-255-3416 or Crimestoppers.

MAKE THE CALL, STAY ANONYMOUS, EARN a REWARD: To report crime, citizens can call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) or text the word TIPSC with a message to CRIMES (274637).

Sheriff’s Office Investigating Strong Arm Robbery

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC (May 2, 2013/10:00 AM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a strong arm robbery that occurred late last night on Hilton Head.

At approximately 11:30 pm last night, Sheriff’s deputies met with a 25-year old male who advised he’d been robbed by two unknown suspects. The victim reported that he was walking on Leg O’ Mutton Rd, approaching the Indigo Run traffic circle when two black males suddenly appeared behind him from a wooded area.

The suspects approached the victim and demanded his watch and money. The victim handed over the requested items and both suspects fled to a black Lexus parked on Leg O’ Mutton Rd. The suspect vehicle was last seen on Leg O’ Mutton headed towards Marshland Rd.

The victim was uninjured during the encounter and continued to his destination (Wendy’s at 2 Nature’s Way) where he contacted law enforcement to report the incident.

The suspects were described as black males, both between 25-30 years of age. One was described as being approximately 6’04”, the other as approximately 5’07”. The shorter suspect reportedly had thick dreadlocks, and the taller suspect was dressed in all black clothing.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers.

MAKE THE CALL, STAY ANONYMOUS, EARN a REWARD: To report crime, citizens can call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) or text the word TIPSC with a message to CRIMES (274637).

Sheriff’s Office Investigating Stabbing

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC (May 2, 2013/10:30 AM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing that occurred at a South end apartment early this morning.

Just after 4 am this morning, Sheriff’s deputies responded to Brighton Bay unit #721 in reference to a stabbing that had just occurred. During the course of the ensuing investigation, it was learned that a male victim had been stabbed in the eye as the result of an argument with his roommate.

Thirty-two year old Clinton Beau Kitty and his roommate, 30-year old Samuel Lloyd Lebair, had allegedly been drinking throughout the night at their apartment. At some point, the two men began to argue and a physical confrontation ensued. The pair separated, with Lebair going to bed. However, the two men continued to exchange words via Facebook. Eventually, Kitty went to Lebair’s bedroom and the two men began to fight again.

As Kitty assaulted Lebair, Lebair grabbed a pocket knife from his bedside and stabbed Kitty in the eye. Immediately following the stabbing, Lebair ran to a neighbor’s apartment to call 911 for help. However, in the interim, Kitty’s girlfriend transported him to the hospital for treatment.

Kitty was eventually transferred from Hilton Head Medical Center to Savannah Memorial where he remains. Kitty’s injury is considered serious but not life-threatening. At this time, no arrest has been made and the investigation remains active.

MAKE THE CALL, STAY ANONYMOUS, EARN a REWARD: To report crime, citizens can call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) or text the word TIPSC with a message to CRIMES (274637).

Sheriff’s Office Investigating Bank Robbery

David Edward Boyd

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC (May 2, 2013/1:00 PM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a bank robbery that occurred at a North end bank this morning.

At approximately 11:30 am, deputies responded to Bank of America (21 Hatton Place) in reference to a robbery occurring moments earlier. According to employees, a white male entered the business and displayed a note referencing a bomb and demanding money.

After being given an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled the bank. No one was injured during the robbery. Multiple witnesses and high-quality video surveillance footage were able to provide investigators with a very clear description of the suspect, who appeared to resemble the suspect in yesterday’s robbery of the Bluffton Bank of America.

Within the hour, deputies made contact with an individual matching the suspect description outside the nearby Quality Inn (200 Museum St). A brief foot pursuit ensued, ending with the subject being taken into custody in the parking lot of Burger King (201 Museum St).

The suspect has been identified as 51-year old David Edward Boyd of Hilton Head. He is being charged with Strong Arm Robbery and Threatening the Use of a Destructive Device in relation to today’s robbery. Additional charges may be pending.

Local agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigations along with investigators from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the Bluffton Police Department are working in collaboration in the ongoing investigations of both bank robberies.

MAKE THE CALL, STAY ANONYMOUS, EARN a REWARD: To report crime, citizens can call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) or text the word TIPSC with a message to CRIMES (274637).

Sheriff’s Office Assists in School Incident Investigation

BLUFFTON, SC (May 1, 2013/3:45 PM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Bluffton Police Department an ongoing investigation resulting from an incident that occurred this morning at Bluffton High School.

In response to a student bringing weapons to the school, the Sheriff’s Office assisted Bluffton Police in conducting precautionary searches of several locations to ensure no further threats existed.

The Sheriff’s Office secured a school bus parked at the Hilton Head school complex after it was identified as the bus the suspect had ridden to school this morning. The bus was parked in front of the elementary school after dropping off students. Members of both the SLED and Sheriff’s Office bomb squads responded and conducted a search of the bus.

A bag found on the bus was later determined to be a child’s lunch bag which had been left behind. No additional evidence was located on the bus. During the course of the bus search, the elementary school was placed on modified lockdown, with students being removed from all rooms in close proximity to the parking lot.

A search warrant was also executed at a Ferebee Ct home in Heritage Lakes where the suspect resides with his parents and siblings. Bomb squad members also conducted a thorough search of the home to exclude any immediate threat to public safety. The reverse 911 was system was utilized to notify residents of the law enforcement presence, with deputies on scene to control access to the area.

At this time, the investigation continues. Additional details may be released as they become available.

MAKE THE CALL, STAY ANONYMOUS, EARN a REWARD: To report crime, citizens can call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) or text the word TIPSC with a message to CRIMES (274637).
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