Armed Robbery & Kidnapping Suspects Still At Large
The passenger who fled during a random traffic stop in Greenville Monday night has been identified as 
18-year-old Frederick Downer, a suspect in the kidnapping and shooting that occurred on White Horse Road Sunday. Greenville County deputies are also seeking 27-year-old Cassandra Mitchell in connection with Sunday’s kidnapping.
News Channel 7 provided the following photos of the suspects:
The Sheriff’s Office Armed Robbery Unit is assigned to this case and has signed ten warrants on Downer charging him with three counts of Armed Robbery and Kidnapping, two counts of Assault with Intent to Kill, and one count each of Criminal Conspiracy and Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime. Warrants have also been issued for Mitchell charging her with three counts of Armed Robbery and Kidnapping, with one count of Criminal Conspiracy.
Frederick Downer and Cassandra Mitchell may be armed. If you have any information regarding their whereabouts, please contact the Greenville County Sheriff’s office or Crime Stoppers at 23-CRIME.
Manhunt Launched Near Woodside Community
When authorities stopped a vehicle following a chase Monday night, little did they know they were moments away from launching a manhunt. The driver, 33-year-old Jerry Marsh, was detained at about 8:30 p.m., but the passenger had other ideas:
The chase started on West Blue Ridge Drive, near White Horse Road. According to a Sheriff’s Office spokesman, a car was stopped and a man jumped out and ran. The unidentified man has led police on a near three hour foot pursuit through the area and near the Woodside community.
A search perimeter was set up in the area near Arch Street between Pendleton Road and West Blue Ridge Drive, off White Horse Road, Fox Carolina reports. The search included Greenville County Sheriff’s deputies and K-9 units.
The suspect has not been identified and may be armed.
The search was called off before midnight.
Update, Dec. 15, 2009:
[Jerry Marsh, the driver of the vehicle, has been charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. His bond was set at $2,500. The suspect still being sought by authorities is 18-year-old Frederick Downer of Greenville. He is also suspected in the shooting that occurred Sunday on White Horse Road.]
James Duck Charged with DUI in Fatal Wreck
The driver who fled the scene of a fatal car wreck near the intersection of Tugaloo Road and Highway 11 Monday night has been charged with felony DUI. James Michael Duck, 25, of Lyman turned up at Greenville Memorial Hospital where his mother had taken him for medical attention early Tuesday. He was arrested upon release by Greenville County deputies.
The victim of the wreck has been identified as Kandys Darlene Batson, 25, of Lyman.
Troopers said she was not wearing a seat belt. Batson was partially ejected and the Honda came to rest on her upper body, the coroner said. The medical examiner said she died from blunt force trauma to the chest.
James Duck was also not wearing a seat belt. He is being held at the Greenville County Detention Center, and has been charged with driving under the influence resulting in death and leaving the scene of an accident involving a death.
WYFF4 notes that records indicate Duck and Batson shared the same address. It is unclear if they were married, although sources confirmed Batson was married.
Update, Dec. 9, 2009: [Reader Holli confirms what one of our sources says: Duck and Batson were cousins. Sometimes alcohol runs thicker than blood.]
Driver Sought in Fatal Greenville County Wreck
An unidentified woman was killed in a northern Greenville County car wreck just after 8 p.m. Monday. Authorities are seeking the driver who fled the scene. GreenvilleOnline.com reports:
The car was westbound on Tugaloo Road off State 11 at 7:40 p.m. when it went off the left side and ejected the female passenger, whose name wasn’t immediately available, said Lance Cpl. Kathy Hiles.
The driver of the 1991 Honda Accord left the scene of the accident on foot. Lance Cpl. Hiles of the South Carolina Highway Patrol described the driver as a white male wearing a white t-shirt with cut-out sleeves, according to News Channel 7. The vehicle had a temporary paper tag which was slowing down the efforts to identify the driver Monday night.
Anyone with information about the accident may call the Highway Patrol at (864) 241-1000.
Update, December 8, 2009: [The driver, James Michael Duck, has been arrested and charged with felony DUI and leaving the scene.]