Manhunt Underway in Taylors for Violent Suspect Joseph Raymond Poole II (Updated)
38-year-old Joseph Raymond Poole II is Greenville County’s latest addition to the Crime Stoppers Most Wanted List. Poole is a repeat criminal offender with a 25 page rap sheet. A manhunt is currently underway near Meece Bridge Road and Reid School Road in Taylors.
Poole is suspected in a carjacking that took place at Cherrydale Shopping Center this morning. Investigators believe he struck a 68-year-old woman in the head multiple times before fleeing the scene in her vehicle, a red 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with the South Carolina license plate AIZ570.
Poole will face charges of strong arm robbery, carjacking, and grand larceny in connection with today’s crime, but he was already a wanted man. News Channel 7 reports:
Poole has been charged with burglary and grand larceny in connection with an incident at the Travelers Rest Tire and Muffler Shop between November 2-3. On November 4, Bo Nats, a business on Poinsett Highway in Greenville County was broken into and deputies say that Poole was responsible for that incident and have charged him with second-degree burglary and petit larceny.
Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office Auto Theft unit have charged Poole with grand larceny and possession of a stolen vehicle after Poole allegedly stole a vehicle from a family member on two seperate occasions. Poole has also been charged with failure to stop for a blue light and driving under suspension after an incident on Stallings Road on November 13.
During that incident, a Sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Poole, who was operating the vehicle that he had just reportedly stolen from the family on Meece Bridge Road. Poole allegedly disregarded the deputies attempt to pull him over and recklessly fled the area without concern for the safety of others.
Joseph Poole’s behavior has become increasingly aggressive, and area residents are urged to contact the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (864-467-5300) or Crime Stoppers (23-CRIME) with any information. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Update, 11/20/09:
[On Friday morning Greenville Police recovered the 1992 red Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme stolen by Joseph Poole during Thursday's carjacking. The search for Poole is still underway.]
Update 2, 11/20/09:
[Joseph Poole has been arrested near Bob Jones University. Please read our latest update for further details.]
“Teen” Steals Father’s Truck, Crashes it in Police Chase
And by teen, we mean a 19-year-old man who has already had his license suspended and is old enough to know better. From WYFF:
Police Chief Lance Crowe said one of his officers turned out of the hospital and noticed Bradley Long driving 20 miles over the speed limit. She followed him until he got off on a side road, Crowe said. The officer said the teenager got back on the highway after she passed by him, which made her suspicious. She turned on her blue lights to pull him over, and that’s when the chief said Long sped off.
Crowe said Long crashed in a ditch soon after he took off. He was able to get his truck out of the ditch, but hit the front end of the officer’s car. Another chase began, but ended when he crashed a second time, Crowe said.
Long tried to escape, but the officer used a Taser to stop him. Back-up arrived and the teenager was taken into custody, according to the chief.
Crowe said Long was booked at the Greenville County jail. The chief said Long might have been trying to get away because he was driving with a suspended license and did not have permission to use his father’s truck, which was badly damaged in the chase.
Something tells me Bradley Long is in big trouble. How scary does your father have to be for you to crash a truck twice in a police chase and still try to run off when the only thing you’ve done wrong is taken your dad’s truck? I guess not quite scary enough to straighten this idiot out.
Catalytic Converters Stolen from Cars Parked in Jeff Lynch Appliance Center Parking Lot
With precious metals prices skyrocketing and South Carolina unemployment near 12% catalytic converters are a tempting target for thieves who are likely getting more than the $150 apiece cited in the article below.
From WYFF4:
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Police are looking for two people who stole the catalytic converters from three vehicles parked at Jeff Lynch Appliance and TV Center.
Last Sunday, a Jeff Lynch employee called police to report that the catalytic converter, valued at $750, had been cut from his vehicle, along with those from two other vehicles.
Investigators said the converters were cut from the vehicles with a tool that left no jagged edges.
A white Dodge Magnum with tinted windows and a South Carolina was seen on surveillance video near the vehicles. Two people were also caught on camera moving back and forth between the vehicles.
Catalytic converters are stolen and sold for a small amount of precious metals in them. They can cost thousands to replace, but stolen ones are generally sold for about $150.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 23-CRIME.
If you’re parking somewhere long term make sure it’s in a visible area. Looks like an investment in a car alarm might be a prudent idea.