Six Clarendon County men are in the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center after a joint investigation between the Sumter and Lee sheriff’s offices linked them and a Sumter man to at least 11 burglaries between July and October.
Sumter Sheriff Anthony Dennis and Lee Sheriff Daniel Simon said Tuesday that the seven suspects face a total of 49 charges between them. Five of the incidents happened in Sumter County, while six happened in Lee County.
“If it hadn’t been for the communications between our departments, these arrests might not have happened,” Dennis said.
Investigators indicated the suspects established a pattern of striking rural area homes during the midday, focusing on homes near the Sumter-Lee county line.
“One of the best ways to deter crime in your community is to get to know your neighbors,” said Dennis. “By watching out for each other and alerting authorities when something seems out of the ordinary, law enforcement can respond quicker and hopefully prevent, rather than react to, a criminal situation.”
Those charged include:
Kennan Alonza Georgia, 18, of 1068 Fireglow St. in Manning, was charged with 16 counts, including seven charges of criminal conspiracy; eight counts of second-degree burglary; and two counts of criminal conspiracy.
Mikah Nelsun Green, 5224 Summerton Highway in Manning, was charged with six counts of second-degree burglary and five counts of criminal conspiracy.
Frankie Lee Durant Jr., 18, of 8043 N. Brewington Road in Alcolu, was charged with two counts of second-degree burglary and two counts of criminal conspiracy.
Tyler David Samuel, 18, of 1386 Carrie Lynn Drive in Manning, was charged with three counts of second-degree burglary and three counts of criminal conspiracy.
Andre Tindal, 19, of 3044 Raccoon Road in Manning, was charged with two counts of second-degree burglary and two counts of criminal conspiracy.
Jeremiah Jermaine Brandon Smith Jr., 26, of 108 Depot St. in Alcolu, was charged with one count each of second-degree burglary, criminal conspiracy, accessory after the fact to a felony and destroying evidence.
Maurice Haynesworth, 17, of 1029 Porter St. in Sumter, was charged with one count each of criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen goods valued at $10,000 or more, destroying evidence and accessory after the fact to a felony.
All of the suspects in custody are being held at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center. The U.S. Marshal’s Task Force assisted deputies in making these arrests.
Some of the property stolen in these incidents has been recovered.
Investigations into these and other incidents possibly connected to these crimes continue, and other arrests and charges are possible.
