BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — Deputies with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man following a chase involving a stolen car that ended in a crash along Interstate 26, authorities said.
According to the sheriff’s office, the incident began on March 3 when a deputy patrolling the Ladson area noticed a white Mercedes driving recklessly along the median of College Park Road. Deputies said the vehicle was speeding and kicking up dirt and debris toward cars sitting in heavy traffic.
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The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop by activating emergency lights, but the driver refused to pull over and instead sped away, authorities said.
The Mercedes then drove through a parking lot near Parker’s Kitchen on Treeland Drive before continuing at a high rate of speed, prompting deputies to begin a pursuit.
Additional deputies joined the chase and deployed stop sticks, which successfully deflated the vehicle’s tires. Despite the damage, investigators said the driver continued fleeing until losing control of the car on westbound Interstate 26.
The vehicle crashed into a truck and came to rest in a nearby ditch, deputies said.
Authorities quickly detained both occupants of the vehicle.
Investigators later determined the Mercedes had been stolen during what deputies described as a fake vehicle purchase. According to the sheriff’s office, the suspects arranged to meet the owner to buy the car but distracted the victim during the meeting and drove away with the vehicle.
Deputies also discovered the driver had an active robbery warrant out of North Carolina.
The suspect, who deputies did not name, was transported to the Hill-Finklea Detention Center and now faces charges in Berkeley County in addition to the hold related to the North Carolina warrant, authorities said.
The passenger was released after deputies determined he was not facing any charges.
The stolen vehicle was recovered and returned to the victim, according to the sheriff’s office.
