During the week leading up to Christmas, the Williamston Police Department investigated incidents including a fraudulent check cashing, a Readers Digest scam, identity theft and a deer striking a car. Among incidents investigated were the following:
Dec. 15 – Community First Bank, 208 E. Main St., Williamston reported a man cashed a fraudulent check made out to George L. Bell from Pool Pro, Inc. in the amount of $752.43. The man was given the cash after presenting a SC driver’s license. The incident remains under investigation. G.. Cremer investigated.
Dec. 16 – Sav-Way, 309 E. Main St., Williamston reported a gas drive off in which an elderly man with a long long gray beard pumped $16 in gas into a black truck then drove off without paying. J. Taylor investiagted.
Dec. 16 – Gregory Seiglar reported that while on Mill St. at Williams St., a deer ran out of the woods and struck the driver’s side of his 2007 Mazda causing damage to both doors and the rearview mirror. The responding officer discharged two rounds from his service weapon to end the injured animal’s suffering. R. Drennon investigated.
Dec. 18 – Jamie Tywanya Dotson, 110 Gossett St. #G4 reported an unknown person claiming to working with Reader’s Digest called her stating her deceased mother won $100,000 and a new car. The caller told her she needed to pay the taxes on the car to collect and advised her where to send the Western Union payment. A similar scam has been reported across the area. The incident remains under investigation. G. Cremer investigated.
Dec. 18 – Jerry Ray Vaughn, 18, 317 TC Bannister Rd., Belton was arrested for simple possession of marijuana after Palmetto High principal Robert Roach found three white males trespassing in the hallways of the high school after school. J. Sargent investigated.
Dec. 18 – Elisa Louise Cox, 124 Lakeview Dr., Williamston reported someone unlawfully came onto her front porch and removed a package with contents valued at $78. Sgt. K. J. Winn investigated.
Dec. 23 – Jessica Ann Kay, 24, 15 Traxler Ave., Williamston reported two tires on her vehicle punctured. The tires were valued at $200. Cpl. L. E. Mulz, C. Samuel investigated.
Dec. 23 – Kevin Dewayne Ridley, 30, 111 Pelzer Ave., Williamston reported someone opened a PayPal account under his name and incurred debt amounting to $2,130. C. Samuel investigated.
Dec. 28 – The Williamston Police Department helped obtain a search warrant for a suspicious fire at 111 E. Street. According to reports, the Williamston Fire Department responded to a fully engulfed house fire at the address. Fire Chief Steve Ellison advised there were suspicious circumstances with the fire and contacted SLED to investigate. S. R. Graham investigated.
