Thieves Empty Greenville Radio Station Trailer
The White Horse Road trailer that houses WCSZ 1070 AM was targeted by thieves twice this month. A wide range of expensive equipment was stolen, including microphones and computers, leaving the radio station unable to broadcast. A $150,000 transmitter will also need to be replaced.
The station’s former general manger, Jerry Young, told News 4 someone broke into the radio station on Dec. 16, and then again this week.
Young showed Muserallo the broadcast booth where the station used to broadcast its sports show, then golden oldies format before it went off air in 2007.
“It’s destroyed. It’s gone,” Young said. “I want people to know that this happened and perhaps somebody will see something and hear something that will lead to an arrest.”
Young thinks someone broke into the building looking for copper, but then saw a golden opportunity.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this crime as a case of grand larceny.
Greenville Armed Robbery Spree Finally Acknowledged
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is finally admitting that the recent string of violent convenience store robberies in the area may be connected. Authorities acknowledge they are investigating the robbery and shooting at the Kangaroo Express on Rutherford Road Tuesday night as one of nine “serial robberies” occurring in the last six weeks.
The robbery is part of a 2-man crime spree in the county, with nine hold-ups attributed to the two suspects since November 12th. People are asked to pay close inspection to what the suspects are wearing. Both suspects are described as black males in their 20s, about 5’ 9”, with one suspect wearing a black and orange jacket, and another wearing a white jacket with “Tokyo” on the back and multi-colored embroidery on the front.
GreenvilleOnline.com noted that the suspects wear dark pants and hoodies, and sometimes hold scarves over their faces. The businesses robbed during the spree include “Smokin’ Joes on U.S. 25, two separate Corner Marts on White Horse Road (one of them robbed twice one month apart), Buncombe Road Mini Mart, Lil’ Cricket on Sulphur Springs Road and Willis Grocery on East Lee Road.”
The suspects have exhibited erratic behavior and should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information about these crimes, please call 23-CRIME. There is a $2,000 reward being offered for information leading to suspect arrests.
Accused Wal-Mart Shoplifter Caught After Police Chase
If you have multiple outstanding warrants for your arrest, ripping off a Wal-Mart and committing a carjacking to make your escape probably isn’t the best idea. Apparently 35-year-old Illya Salter could have used that advice this afternoon.
Police said the suspect swung a pair of scissors at a worker who tried to detain him for shoplifting at a Wal-Mart on 6134 White Horse Road, according to warrants. The suspect then forced a man from his silver 2004 Toyota Camry, a warrant said. Deputies pursued the suspect in a brief car chase before he crashed into a tree on Sumter Street, said Lt. Scott Wilson of the Greenville County Sherriff’s Office.
During the chase, Salter reportedly hit several vehicles. One person had to be hospitalized, deputies said. WYFF4 spoke to witnesses at the scene:
Witnesses said police eventually used a Taser to subdue Salter.
“When he made the left, he couldn’t make it,” said Gary Stokes. “He skidded on rubber on one tire gone and went under the fence. I went out the back door and jumped the fence to see where he was while they were chasing him.”
Salter is being held at Greenville County Detention Center. Inmate holds indicate he was wanted in connection with fraud involving Anderson County Bank and a shoplifting and assault in Greer. Charges pending as of 9:30 p.m. Saturday included forgery, two counts of armed robbery, possessing a weapon during a violent crime, shoplifting, trespassing, carjacking, driving under suspension, and failure to stop for a blue light.
Salter is expected back in court on Feb. 26, 2010.
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.]