March 27
At 1:01 p.m., officers responded to a business on Hwy, 15-401 Bypass following a report from the store’s loss prevention officer of a shoplifter inside the store. At the scene, officers found the suspect attempting to get inside a white vehicle driven by a male, Joshua Grooms. When asked to display the pilfered items, the female suspect, Lena Grooms, unloaded three packs of steak and a package of ground beef, valued at $87. The female explained to officers she stole the items because she could not afford to pay for them. After officers ran both couple’s names through the central dispatch system, it was discovered the couple both had outstanding warrants from Florence, also for shoplifting. The pair was arrested and transferred to the Marlboro County Detention Center, where the male suspect awaits extradition to Florence. Case closed by arrest.
At 2:28 p.m., officers responded to a report of hit-and-run in the vicinity of Ayers Street. When officers arrived on scene, they first spoke with the driver of a 2013 Cadilac CTS who explained she and her boyfriend were test driving the vehicle. After bending her head to turn on and test out the AC, she looked up and saw a juvenile on a bicycle suddenly pull out into the roadway in front of her. The female stated that she was not driving fast because she was testing out the vehicle on side streets before driving it on the highway but was still unable to bring the car to a complete stop, hitting the juvenile. After impact, the juvenile got up and walked inside a nearby home, leaving the bicycle on the roadway. The female stated to officers she then took the bicycle to the door of the home and knocked. After speaking with the mother of the juvenile, the mother said she would be taking her child to the ER to be checked out. The couple then left the scene, however, when the female returned to check on the juvenile and found numerous police cruisers and EMS on scene she stopped and spoke with officers. Officers inside the home spoke with the mother of the juvenile who stated the child did not have permission to leave their front yard. EMS stated that without an X-Ray being conducted it is impossible to know if the juvenile suffered any internal damage. The mother of the child said she would keep an eye on them and take them to the hospital if needed. Case is active.
At 8:32 p.m., officers responded to a residence following a report of a missing juvenile. At the home, officers spoke with MCSO deputies who had already contacted the father of the missing child. Acting on information that the youth could be found inside a residence on 3rd Avenue; law enforcement went to the home and located the missing juvenile inside. DSS was called to evaluate the juvenile and place them in temporary custody. Case closed.
At 3:35 a.m., officers responded to a residence on Glen Street following a report of someone breaking and entering their vehicle. At the scene, the victim stated to officers he reported the incident earlier in the day but responding officers could locate no report. The victim provided officers with security footage of the incident showing what appears to be a male suspect wearing a black hoodie entering the property, pulling a gun, and then attempting to enter the victim’s vehicle. Finding the vehicle locked, the suspect ultimately left the scene without entering or causing any damage to the vehicle. Case is active.
March 28
At 8:36 p.m., officers received a call from a victim who resides in Georgia stating they received a call from a scammer impersonating Chief Sammy Crosland demanding they pay $4,762 in compensation to the victim of alleged child sex crimes. The fraudulent chief further claimed the costs were in reference to rehabilitation services for the child, explaining the victim’s name had come up in the court case and they had been ordered by the court to pay these fines because their name was associated with the case. After speaking with the faux chief, the victim received a call from a gentleman claiming to be the father of the juvenile victim, David Wittman, who said he was willing to receive only half of the $4,762 owed. Wittman was willing to accept the lower amount because he stated that his insurance company would be footing $9, 524 of the total amount owed; $14, 286. Wittman suggested the payment could be made via Apple Pay. Nothing about the incident seemed legitimate to the victim, so they contacted the BPD, just as the real Chief Sammy Crosland encourages all residents to do when in doubt about a strange phone call or any suspicious sounding communications. Officers informed the victim similar fraud schemes are currently being run in the area and the BPD Facebook page has made posts warning the public, however, the victim stated they live in Georgia and have never resided in Marlboro County. Officers requested the victim alert others in their area to the scam, if possible, to prevent further victims. Case is active.
At 5 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Evergreen Court in response to a report of a juvenile acting out. At the scene, officers spoke with the mother of the juvenile who reported the child was acting out, was confirmed to be in their room, but at one point snuck out the window and left the residence. A search of the surrounding area by law enforcement failed to locate the juvenile and a report was sent to DSS. Case is active.
At 5:45 p.m., officers responded to a residence on 3rd Avenue following a call into dispatch of a lively dispute going down between neighbors. At the scene, officers were approached by a group of people who appeared agitated and were very vocal about a neighbor they had been involved in an argument with throughout the day. According to one of the individuals, he claimed he had gone over to a home across the street from his to get a vehicle from a customer there who was having car trouble and needed the individual to work on it. The neighbor involved in the dispute allegedly shouted at his neighbor mechanic, telling him he would not be working “on any cars today.” According to dispatch, this neighbor had also made calls into dispatch reporting a dispute with the other individuals. According to the group of individuals, the neighbor and some other individuals began throwing rocks at the vehicle while the individual and their children were inside. The alleged rock-thrower claimed the individual attempted to run them over with their black SUV. Another neighbor who claimed to have witnessed the entire incident said the mechanic neighbor did try to hit the rock-throwing neighbor with the vehicle and that another individual almost hit her son’s car with their vehicle at the scene. Given blame existed on both sides, Richard Miller and Michael Staub were both placed under arrest and charged with Assault in the Third Degree. Both parties were informed the dispute between them had gone on long enough and should another issue arise, both will again be arrested. Case closed by arrest.