A 45-year-old Alcolu man and a 43-year-old New Zion man are guests of the Florence County Detention Center this week after Florence County deputies caught the men cutting a fence to gain access to a business there.
Ronald Anthoniel Cousar of 1406 Barnhill Lane in Alcolu and Mark Elmore of 2210 Epps Road in New Zion were both charged with one count each of malicious injury to personal property.
Florence County sheriff's deputies were dispatched, according to reports, to an alarm call about 3:58 p.m. Monday. at a business on U.S. 52 near Scranton.
The first deputy arrived on scene about 4 a.m. - just two minutes after the alarm sounded - and saw two suspects inside the gated perimeter of the business.
"Upon seeing the deputies arrive, the suspects then fled into a nearby wooded area," reads a report from the Florence County Sheriff's Office. "Deputies quickly set up a perimeter to contain the suspects and the FCSO Special Operations K9 Unit was called to the scene."
Several hours later a tracking canine led deputies to the suspects, who were hiding in a nearby wooded area
Both suspects were taken into custody without incident, according to reports.
Investigators allege that the suspects cut the fence to gain access to the business. Both suspects have been charged with Malicious Injury to Property and will be held at the Florence County Detention Center pending a bond hearing before a Florence County magistrate.d
“A quick response time, training and teamwork led to the swift apprehension of these suspects,” Sheriff Billy Barnes said. “Congratulations to our deputies for a job well done.”
