Last Updated on 3/17/2010

Published on 6/17/2009

The following reports were gathered at the Georgetown Police, County Sheriff's and Andrews Police Departments.

Child drives for drunk dad
Police say they made a traffic stop June 8 after seeing a vehicle make a wide turn, crossing into the wrong lanes on Lincoln Street.
Once the car stopped, a 41-year-old man got out and walked towards the officer. At the same time, according to the report, the person who was driving slid over to the passenger’s seat.
The man was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.
The officer determined it was the man’s 12-year-old son who had been driving. There was a 13-year-old in the back seat.
There was also an open can of beer in the car.
The officers tried talking to the man but because of his intoxication, he “was not making any sense,” the report states.
The children were released to other family members and the man was taken to jail charged with child neglect and disorderly conduct.

Owner spots stolen clothing
While shopping in Wal Mart June 10, a  man who owns an Andrews clothing store saw four young men wearing merchandise that had been stolen from his business two days prior.
He said he knew it was from his store because it sells clothing that is “unique in this area.”
The clothes-wearers were questioned and said they bought the clothing from a man in a van.
“All four agreed they believe the items were probably stolen but they were not sure,” the report states.
They gave the officers the clothing to place into evidence.
One of the four men was arrested on a separate charge because when he was asked, he gave police a false name.  

Possible child abuse
Georgetown police are trying to determine if the way a 31-year-old woman’s discipline method crossed the line into abuse.
After the woman’s 10-year-old son ran out of the house and towards the road, she grabbed a belt and used it to hit the child.
The buckle struck the child on the neck which caused a laceration “about the size of a penny,”  the report states.
During the course of the investigation, police were told by the victim and another child their mother often walks around the house naked and they have seen her taking nude pictures of herself in sexual positions.
They said they have seen porn on their mother’s computer.
The investigation is continuing.

 

Damaged equipment
A Pawleys Island man said his vehicle was towed to Tidelands Dodge to be serviced June 11.
While the vehicle was there someone damaged a [pressure washer that was in the back of the truck, the man reported.
The victim said the wires were cut on the washer causing about $50 worth of damage.
The owner of the business said he reviewed video from surveillance cameras and the truck was undisturbed while on the lot.

Possible arson
A fire that damaged a kitchen inside a Graham Lane home is being investigated as a possible arson.
The homeowner said a man he knows stopped by his house June 11 and an argument erupted. The victim said during the heated exchange, the visiting man appeared to be pulling a knife from his pocket, so he ran inside to grab a cue stick from a pool table to defend himself.
When he went back outside, the suspect was no where to be found.
A few minutes later, the victim saw his kitchen was on fire. He used a water hose to fight the flames until firefighters arrived.
A plastic gas can that had been outside was found melted beside a refrigerator in the kitchen.
A neighbor also reported seeing a man fitting the suspect’s description running from the house around the time the fire was noticed.
No one has been charged.

Alleged employee theft
Nearly $6,200 was reported missing from CVS in Murrells Inlet June 9.
The internal investigation began in late May
A worker who was responsible for making the bank deposits for the store is seen on BB&T surveillance camera video arriving at the bank after hours with the deposit but glare from the sun made it impossible to see the entire transaction.
The employee told investigators she will take a polygraph test if requested.
 
Compiled by Scott Harper