From Police Reports
The following were taken from actual incident reports filed last week by the City of Folly Beach Public Safety Department. These are not convictions and the names of businesses, complainants, and suspects have been left off to protect the innocent. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty, of course.
Saturday, Aug. 1 | DJ’s Car Dances Into the Night
The Responding Officer (R/O) was dispatched to a Folly Beach bar around 3 a.m. in reference to a stolen vehicle. Upon arrival, he met the 34-year-old male victim who said his car was missing. The victim said he had been deejaying at the bar that night and had loaded his equipment into his 2005 BMW 545i after the gig, then gone back into the bar for a few drinks. He returned 30 to 45 minutes later and found the car and equipment missing. Folly Beach Public Safety put out a Be On the LookOut (BOLO) for the vehicle countywide. Within five minutes the BOLO was cancelled after City of Charleston Police found the vehicle wrecked on the James Island Connector.
Monday, Aug. 3 | Parting Folly is Such Sweet Sorrow
The (R/O) was dispatched to the parking lot behind Rita’s around 12:30 a.m. in reference to a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, he met a man and woman, ages 30 and 34 respectively, who were having an argument. After further investigation, the officer learned the woman wanted to go hang out with some people they had met at the bar earlier that evening. The man was concerned if they stayed out and partied, they would miss their flight back to Kansas City the next morning. There were no signs of a physical altercation. While the officer was on scene, the couple agreed they would go back to their condo and leave the next morning.
Monday, Aug. 3 | How Did the Kid Know What To Do With It?!
The R/O was dispatched to a condo in Mariner’s Cay around 12:47 p.m. in reference to Found Property. Upon arrival, he met with a 58-year-old woman who said her family had rented the condo for the week and immediately found several things wrong with it. Their main concern was that that morning, her toddler grandson had opened a dresser drawer in the upstairs bedroom and “grabbed a marijuana smoking device from the drawer and attempted to place it into his mouth.” The officer confiscated the device and placed it into evidence.
Friday, Aug. 7 | Hey, Changing a Tire is, Well, Tiring
The R/O was dispatched to the area of Center Street and West Hudson in reference to Suspicious Activity. Upon arrival, he found a man halfway in and halfway out of a vehicle asleep. The officer woke the 40-year-old subject, who said he was just changing his tire. The officer notes the man smelled of alcohol. The subject was arrested, charged with Public Intoxication and taken to jail.
Saturday, Aug. 8 | Poor Helpless Animal
The R/O was dispatched to the first block of East Hudson Avenue around 2:40 p.m. in reference to a dog locked in a car. A passerby had seen a small dog in a car on the side of the road and called Public Safety. Upon arrival, the officer located the car, which had its windows “barely cracked.” The R/O checked the temperature via a phone app, and reports it read, “feels like 97 degrees.” Believing the dog to be in danger, the officer slimjimmed the door open and removed the two-to-three-pound mini poodle mix and took it to headquarters. The dog was given food and “immediately ate as if he had not had anything to eat in awhile.” About an hour later, a 54-year-old male arrived at the police station looking for the dog. He said he was only gone for a few minutes. The officer said they had confiscated the animal for its own safety. The dog’s owner retrieved the animal and left in a huff.
Saturday, Aug. 8 | Need Some Things For the Beach
The R/O was dispatched to a Center Street beach store around 8 p.m. in reference to a case of Shoplifting. Upon arrival, the store owner told him a man had entered the store and left without paying for a pair of blue flip flops and some sunscreen. The victim also stated he had just seen the subject at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. The victim showed the R/O video surveillance of the subject entering the store wearing sneakers, and exiting wearing the blue flops, but never paying for anything. Officers went to the fishing pier and indeed found the subject matching the victim’s description. The subject was in possession of the items stolen. The subject was arrested for Shoplifting and taken to the county jail.
Thursday, Aug. 13 | You Can Run…
The R/O was dispatched to a Folly Beach restaurant around 2 p.m. in reference to a wanted party being on the premises. An anonymous caller had called Public Safety to let them know a 25-year-old male was at the restaurant and that they knew the subject had a warrant out for his arrest for Assault and Battery by the City of Charleston. The R/O entered the establishment and located the subject, who matched the caller’s description. The officer confirmed the man’s identity and the active warrant and arrested the subject. The officer transported the subject out of the Folly city limits to an awaiting Charleston police officer.
Friday, Aug. 14 | Bad Day Just Got Worse
The R/O was working off-duty security in his police cruiser at the Folly Beach Harris Teeter around 7:15 p.m. when he observed a vehicle racing through the parking lot and almost hitting a car that was backing out. The officer initiated a traffic stop, and pulled the car over on Sol Legare. The officer made contact with the driver, a 24-year-old Folly Beach resident he recognized as having given a citation for Careless Driving in the past.
As the subject was asked for his driving documents, the officer notice the man was very upset and crying. The subject said he had been having problems with a girl. The officer noticed there was a beverage in the cup holder and asked the driver about it. The driver picked it up and pushed it towards the officer’s face demanding that he sniff it. The officer asked for the driver’s license again, and the subject surrendered it.
The R/O went back to his police cruiser to write a citation for Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle. At some point, the subject exited his vehicle and began to approach the R/O. The officer called for backup, then exited his vehicle and ordered the subject to return to his car, to which the subject complied. A few minutes later, though, the subject exited his vehicle again and began to approach the officer. The R/O again ordered the man back to his car. At this point, the subject, who was still crying, dropped to his knees and raised his hands in the air. The subject yelled that he surrendered and he would take whatever punishment he deserves.
The officer again ordered the man to his car, but the subject became aggressive and disorderly, shouting at the officer, “go f*** yourself. This whole thing is bulls***!” The R/O then attempted to place the subject under arrest, but he resisted, and eventually the officer pinned him against the patrol car. The subject continued to resist and took a swing at the officer, but didn’t make contact.
The subject shoved the officer in the face with his hand and kicked him in the legs several times. Photos were later taken of bruises on the R/O’s body. Backup arrived and the subject was subdued. He was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest.
