Greer Cars & Businesses Defaced by Gang Grafitti
Vandals used black spray paint to deface property in Greer Wednesday night. Authorities found gang symbols and graffiti on several buildings and two vehicles.
Greer Police were dispatched to 218 Trade Street when a victim reported that his building and Dodge pickup had been spray painted with the letters UTB in black, according to a Greer police report.
A second vehicle that belonged to The Greer Citizen was also marked, and several of the building’s walls were tagged with UTB in the same black spray paint, the report said.
Police spokesman Lt. Jimmy Holcombe said some of the symbols were gang-related but the meaning of UTB is unknown.
Two other buildings, Langley & Associates and Victoria Place, were also spray painted, according to the report.
This act of vandalism should not be written off as mere adolescent antics. With the Greenville metro area situated on the I-85 corridor between Atlanta and Charlotte, gang activity is on the rise. Not even the sleepiest community is immune.
Matthew Fullbright Charged with the Murder of Homer and JoAnn Staton
Fox Carolina is reporting an arrest has been made in the Staton murders, and the rumors of the killings being related to Homer Staton’s jewelry/gold buying hobby were confirmed:
ANDERSON, S.C. — Anderson County deputies said that a Belton man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a Taylors couple.
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Investigators said that the Statons met up with 29-year-old Matthew Fullbright, who had done business with Homer Staton in the past. They said that Fullbright told him that he knew people who wanted to sell a large quantity of jewelry. They said that Fullbright directed the couple to an isolated place along Waterside Drive where he tried to rob them. They said that a fight broke out and the Statons were killed there
Deputies said that JoAnn Staton was left at that location. They said that Fullbright then drove Homer Staton’s body to Asaville Road and dumped it. They said he then drove the couple’s car to the Horton Road location.
Investigators said that the Statons died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Fullbright was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of armed robbery. He was being held at the Anderson County Detention Center.
Investigators said that Fullbright provided them with information that led them JoAnn Staton’s body.
Disgusting. Homer Staton was killed simply because he pursued an interesting hobby by a thug who thought he’d be an easy mark. I hope Fullbright gets a needle in his arm.
Screwdriver Wielding Robber Arrested in Greenville
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office arrested 40-year-old Jimmy Ray Edwards Tuesday on charges of armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The crime occurred Saturday night on Marue Drive in Greenville.
The weapon? A black and red screwdriver.
Edwards was identified from witness accounts after deputies say he walked into the store holding a black and red screwdriver in his hand. Deputies say he pushed a store worker away from the cash register and took money from the register.
We’re told Edwards got away in a burgundy colored Ford Expedition.
The suspect is in custody at the Greenville County Detention Center.
JoAnn Staton’s Body Found Near Iva
Fox Carolina is reporting that JoAnn Staton’s body was found near the town of Iva near Lake Secession:
ANDERSON, S.C. — Anderson County deputies said that a woman’s body was found late Wednesday night, near Iva close to Lake Secession.
Deputies said that the remains are those of missing Taylors resident JoAnn Staton, who was last seen with her husband, Homer Staton, on Friday at the Old Country Buffet on Wade Hampton Boulevard.
On Saturday, the couple’s blood-stained car was found abandoned in Belton. On Sunday, a man walking his dog found Homer Staton’s body eight miles from the car.
Homer Staton was a well known gold seller who frequently traveled across the Upstate.
The Anderson County Coroner’s Office said investigators are working to positively identify the body; however, family members contacted FOX Carolina and said that they had been told by investigators that it was JoAnn Staton.
The rumor is that Homer Staton was targeted because of his gold buying activity. Police have a suspect in custody who hasn’t been charged but the Staton family is reporting that several people are in custody.
Police Nab Counterfeit Sellers at White Horse Flea Market
The White Horse Flea Market may not be the best place to pick up authentic name brand items on the cheap. Who knew? In other shocking news, rain is wet and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future.
Authorities busted five men after discovering $44, 600 of counterfeit goods for sale at the White Horse Rd. marketplace. GreenvilleOnline.com reports:
The items included DVDs, sunglasses and pirated apparel involving labels such as Coach, Nike, Timberland, Gucci, Phat Farm, Louis Vitton and Major League Baseball, Greenville County Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Armstrong said.
The bust resulted from firms hired by companies to investigate counterfeit goods, who in turn report the activity to local law enforcement agencies, Armstrong said.
Hmm. And I thought the White Horse was mostly stall after stall of over-the-counter cold medicine, gently used kitchenware, and the contents of some guy’s attic. All this time I could have stopped by for a genuine Coache bag, Timbaland boots, and Goochi sunglasses.
The following men were arrested:
- Terry M. Mull, 48, of 133 Robinson Road in Taylors
- Cornelius S. Lyles, 30, of 722 North Vernon Street in Spartanburg
- Kip S. Hughes, 31, of 132 21st Street in Easley
- Norman T. Gibson, 45, of 4 Lindberg Ave. in Greenville
- Carl E. Ross, 40, of 211 Cranberry Drive in Mauldin.
Counterfeiting is sometimes linked to organized crime. Whether this was an isolated operation at the White Horse Flea Market or part of a larger criminal enterprise remains to be seen.
Oh, and just letting the folks at The Greenville News know: it’s Louis Vuitton, not Louis Vitton. Just sayin’.