Local Radar

---

---

---

Burglar evades arrest after multiple auto thefts and high speed chase

web posted February 3, 2007

Below: The blue Chevy pick-up initially used, in the picture is
a section of fence (bright section) cut in a previous burglary
JOHNSTON – Shortly after 5am an Edgefield County Deputy spotted a suspicious truck parked at the back fence line of Forrest Tire Company in Johnston and went to investigate. When the deputy got close enough he noticed the man had several tires loaded in the back of a black Dodge 1500 pick-up truck and ordered the man to stop. The man refused and fled the area with the Deputy and Johnston Police units in pursuit. The chase reached speeds in excess of 100 mph on Highways 121 and 25 southbound.

Johnston Police Chief Chris Aston said that early morning traffic and the dangerous driving of the suspect led to police ending the pursuit. “He was turning off his lights and running people off both sides of the road,” and stopping the chase was in the best interest of the public safety. The pursuit ended on Highway 25 near Hard Luck Hill.

Below: Investigators process the stolen Dodge truck
Edgefield County Deputies began searching possible side roads in an effort to locate the truck, which had been stolen from a Johnston residence. It was later discovered in Merriwether just off Murrah Road at a power substation around 3pm. The tires were not in the truck and debris suggested the man had evidently driven into a pine tree thicket and possibly stashed the tires in a wooded area to be recovered later.

According to Investigators the man drove a blue Chevy 4x4 pick-up to the tire company and cut the fence to gain entry to the business lot. Once inside he used a cutting torch to cut a hole in the top of a transfer truck trailer that housed the tractor-trailer tires. Once inside he removed between ten and fifteen tires valued at $300 apiece.

Below: The inside of the stolen Dodge truck
When he attempted to leave he became stuck in the boggy area and was unable to get out. At that time he is believed to have gone into the front of the business where he broke into a red truck the company had for sale and attempted to pull his truck free. That resulted in the second truck becoming stuck.

The man then abandoned that effort and relocated to a nearby engine rebuilding company where he attempted to steal a wrecker. Unable to get the wrecker started he then is believed to have relocated to a home on Pecan Street where he stole the Dodge truck.

He returned to the original crime scene and loaded the tires into the bed of the fourth vehicle when he was discovered and the ensuing car chase took place.

The investigation continues. It is believed at this time the man may be responsible for previous crimes at the tire company in the recent past.

 
 

EdgefieldDaily.com is a member of the
Edgefield County
Chamber of Commerce
New Link Below
Information and Activities

---

Parting Shots
A new book by Columnist Carl Langley

---

---

-----

---

JAM Straight Customs

---

Featured Dining

La Cantina

---

---

'08 Debate
Get involved

---

NOTICE:
We still need recipes for Cooking Section
WEBNEWS –  Send in your favorite or favorites. There is no limit to the number of recipes you can send in. With the Editor’s wife being the driving force behind her own personal section, help her create an exchange of local favorites, home cooking, grilling, sauces, and deserts!  Send in your submissions here.