Burglary at Murder Site

The former home of murder victim Johnnie Hydrick was the site of a burglary last week according to a report filed by the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office. The property, located at 103 Windy Ridge Road, is being cared for by a family member. That family member stated to law enforcement that he had last been at the property to cut the grass on Monday, July 13. When he returned to again check on the property on Friday, July 17, the relative found a shed on the property had been broken into. Taken from the shed were 4 large colored totes inside of which were an estimated $800 worth of assorted tools. Also stolen was a trail camera that was set up on a tree in the woods behind the shed. It was noted that the shed received little to no damaged as the screws holding the door of the shelter were unscrewed to allow for entry to be gained. In total, the items stolen were valued at over $1,000.

Johnnie Hydrick’s beaten body was found at this home on Oct. 11, 2014. Billy Sellars of Aiken was arrested on Oct. 30 and charged with murder and Burglary 1^st in connection with Hydrick’s death. Sellars was later denied bond and is in jail awaiting trial.

There was no indication given that this latest crime and the murder are connected. The ECSO is continuing to investigate this burglary.

Weapon Fired at Passing Motorist

A motorist driving along the 2000 black of Martintown Road near Sportsman’s Corner, Monday, July13, was fired at by an unknown weapon. According to an Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office report on the matter, the driver of a gray 2012 Dodge Ram 350 pickup truck was traveling south on Martintown when an unknown white male, possibly in his teens, fired an unidentified weapon at the vehicle. The projectile fired from the weapon struck the lower right hand side of the truck. The suspect was described as sitting on 4 wheeler at the time of the incident. That 4 wheeler was described as possibly being a faded green color.

The ECSO did respond to the scene and searched the area. However, no possible suspect was located.

Suspicious Vehicle Leads to Drug Charges

A report of a suspicious vehicle on Coronet Drive around midnight Monday, July 13, lead to the arrest of one man on drug charges. An Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office report on the incident details how the deputy responding to the suspicious vehicle call arrived to find two men working under the hood of a green 1995 Lexus. The men told the deputy they were trying to replace a part on the vehicle. However, the report states that the responding deputy smelled a heavy odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, and the men consented to its being searched.

Inside the vehicle, a black book bag was located in the front passenger side seat. Inside of that book bag was found a clear plastic bag containing approximately 5 whitish brown rock like substances and a small round blue pill, with the letter M inside of a square stamped on one side and the number 30 stamped on the other side, inside of a clear plastic bag which appeared to be packaged for sale. Also located inside the vehicle on the back seat behind the driver’s seat was a gold colored book bag. Inside of that book bag a hand rolled cigarette wrapped in brown paper containing a green leafy plant like substance believed to be marijuana and two clear plastic bags containing a green leafy plant like substance were found. A black digital scale was also found inside of this book bag along with a SC identification and a Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance card each bearing a different name but neither name belonging to the two men involved in this incident.

One of the suspects, a 19 year old from Winding Road in Trenton, claimed all the items found in the car. As such, the other man was not charged. However, the 19 year old was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was transported to the Edgefield County Detention Center without incident. The vehicle involved in this incident was towed from the scene.