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Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office: Search Suspended For Three Escaped Inmates

by Nikki Gaskins Campbell
Pictured L to R: Donald Ray Little Jr., Michael Bryan Chaplin and Matthew Daniel Chaplin
Pictured L to R: Donald Ray Little Jr., Michael Bryan Chaplin and Matthew Daniel Chaplin

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–After hours of searching, Berkeley County deputies along with multiple agencies suspended the search for three inmates who recently escaped from the Dorchester County Detention Center in St. George.

On Saturday, shortly before 2 p.m., authorities stated that a Berkeley County deputy spotted the three inmates traveling in a truck with extended cab stolen out of Charleston County.

Authorities stated that the inmates stole the truck near St. George shortly after breaking out of the jail early Friday morning.

The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop; however, the inmates refused to pull over. That’s when a chase began through the Sangaree area, Charleston Southern University and the Hamlets neighborhood.

The suspects eventually abandoned their vehicle near the 203 mile marker of Frontage Road, and ran off into the woods near Wannamaker Park, authorities stated.

Deputies stated that they abandoned some of their clothing as well in the woods.

A perimeter was established to search the surrounding area. K9 units were called to assist with the search as well as a helicopter.


A command post was set up by Velocity Motorsports as officers searched for the inmates for approximately eight hours. Unfortunately, deputies say the inmates got away.

“The perimeter has been called for the night, the subjects are still at large,” read a post on the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Facebook page. “We are asking that people keep their garage doors locked, their vehicles locked and call 911 if you see anything suspicious.”

Multiple agencies assisted with the search including Goose Creek Police Department, North Charleston Police Department and Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.

On June 24th, officials with the Dorchester County County Sheriff’s Office stated that Donald Little, Michael Chaplin and Matthew Chaplin broke off a piece of metal from under a desk and used it as a crowbar to pry a window to get out of the St. George facility early Friday morning.

Dorchester County Sheriff LC Knight stated that the three inmates tied linens together to climb down and then climbed over two fences. The trio reportedly stole a vehicle from a nearby home after the escape.

If you have any information on the inmates’ whereabouts, contact 9-1-1 or Crimestoppers at 843-554-1111. You can remain anonymous.

The three men should also be considered dangerous and possibly armed, Dorchester County deputies stated. If possible, do not approach them.

Their charges range from probation violation, grand larceny, drug possession and burglary.

Additional Inmate Info Via DCSO

WHITE MALE: DONALD RAY LITTLE JR
LAST KNOWN ADDRESS 101 TRYON STREET, SUMMERVILLE S.C.
DOB 08/29/1981 6’00 165 POUNDS BROWN HAIR IN JAIL FOR PROBATION VIOLATION.

WHITE MALE: MICHAEL BRYAN CHAPLIN
LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 1101 AZALEA DRIVE, SUMMERVILLE S.C.
DOB 04/06/1985 6’00 170 POUNDS BROWN HAIR
IN JAIL FOR GRAND LARCENY X2 AND BURG X4,

WHITE MALE: MATTHEW DANIEL CHAPLIN
1101 AZALEA DRIVE, SUMMERVILLE S.C.
DOB 06/14/1988 5’9 160 POUNDS BROWN HAIR
IN JAIL FOR LARCENY X3, POSSESSION OF METH X1, CARD THEFT X1, POSSESSION OF STOLEN VEHICLE.
Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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