Victim Chases Down Thief and Recovers Property

A resident of Flintlock Drive in North Augusta (Edgefield County) took matters into his own hands Monday, Sept. 29, when he discovered his golf cart was being stolen. According to an Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office report detailing the incident, the victim stated he was awaken around five thirty Monday morning by the alarm on his motion detector. The man said he then heard his 2002 EZGO golf cart going past his home. The man stated he ran outside to see an unknown male driving the golf cart down the driveway. The victim gave chase on foot, but then turned around and went back to his home and got his truck. Chasing the thief in his truck, the victim located the suspect, who had by this time loaded the stolen golf cart onto a trailer, traveling down Country Club Hills Drive toward Gregory Lake Road. The golf cart owner continued to pursue the thief until the suspect stopped his vehicle just inside Aiken County, exited the truck, and fled the scene.

The suspect in this case is described as a black male of small build standing approximately 5’7” tall. He was wearing a brown hoodie and driving a gray 2002 Ford F150 XLT super crew cab truck and pulling a black trailer with an attached lift gate. Both the truck and trailer had paper tags on them from Discount Automotive. The golf cart was still on the trailer when law enforcement arrived on the scene.

The suspect in this crime was not located, however, evidence was collected from the scene. Part of that evidence included a box of business cards on which was printed Augusta Towing Recovery.

The victim was allowed to collect his stolen golf cart. The truck and the trailer were towed from the scene. This case and the evidence collected has been turned over to the investigative unit of the ECSO.

Search Continues for Missing Woman

As of Monday, Sept. 29, the search continued for the missing 37 year old Edgefield County woman, Tamera Sue Kingery, of Mealing Road. Kingery who has been missing since Sept. 20, was reported missing at that time by her husband who said he had returned home to find a note from his wife indicating that she had gone for a walk and would return shortly. However, her husband noted this to be out of character for his wife as she did not take walks. He also reported she battles depression and had recently attempted to take her own life.

Several searches of the area from which Kingery went missing have been conducted including another by the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office, Friday, Sept. 26, and one over the weekend by friends and family. However, no signs of Kingery have been found. A spokesperson with the ECSO said tips continue to come into the ECSO, however, “nothing’s panned out so far.” The Advertiser will continue to follow this story and report any updates as they become available.

Nearly $125,000 Stolen From Home on Abel Drive

Nearly $125,000 worth of items were reported stolen from a home on Abel Drive in Edgefield, Tuesday, Sept. 23. According to the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office report on the crime, the homeowner stated that he returned to the residence after being gone for several hours to find the back door of the home had been forced open causing an estimated $1500 worth of damage. Once inside the home, the owner found that a gun safe had been stolen from his bedroom in which were numerous guns, ammunition, and old coins. The homeowner also found more guns missing from other rooms in the house as well as a flat screen television and an antique collectable D35 Martin acoustic guitar. In all, twenty-five firearms were stolen, some of them being commemorative and discontinued models as well as the television, gun safe, guitar, a bulk can of ammunition with 223 rounds in it, approximately 15 gold coins, and approximately 200 silver 2012 bullions. This scene was processed for evidence, and this crime is being actively investigated by the ECSO.

ECSO Recovers Stolen Vehicle

The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office recovered a vehicle Monday, Sept. 15, which had been reported stolen out of Richmond County, Georgia. According to the ECSO report, the agency was contacted by Brewer’s Scrap Metals after they were contacted by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office regarding a possible stolen vehicle being brought to the facility. The vehicle was indeed at Brewer’s as was the man who brought it, Christopher Carter, of Augusta, Ga. Additionally, a check of the vehicle revealed that it has been reported stolen out of Richmond County. Carter stated that he had purchased the vehicle from a man on Sept. 14 and said he could provide a bill of sale. He was allowed to leave the premises pending further investigation.

In the ensuing investigation, the owner of the car was contacted and said that Carter had asked to purchase the vehicle, but he had refused to sell the car to him. A warrant was then issued by the ECSO for the arrest of Carter on possession of stolen property charges. He turned himself into the ECSO without incident on Friday, Sept. 19. Carter may face additional charges in Richmond County as well for this crime.

Theft from Home on West Five Notch Road

A homeowner at West Five Notch Road in North Augusta (Edgefield County) reported a theft at his home to the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday, Sept. 24. According to an ECSO report, the man said that he had been out of town for several days and upon returning home found his green 2003 Arctic Cat ATV with a dump bed, estimated to be worth $4,000, missing from a shed located at the rear of his home. The shed was reported to have been left unlocked. Tracks were found leaving the scene of the crime, and the ECSO is investigating this crime.