Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) investigators arrested two men and a woman and charged them with multiple drug and traffic offenses following a brief car chase involving a stolen car and subsequent foot chase Wednesday afternoon.
According to a KCSO press release, investigators arrested Michael Lee Dotson, 33, of Koon Road, Lugoff; Maurice Actona Williams, 31, of Tremont Road, Lugoff; and Kayla Koumas, 26, of Burdell Road, Lugoff. Investigators charged Dotson with grand larceny of a motor vehicle, trafficking methamphetamine, failure to stop for blue lights, driving under suspension (second offense) and malicious injury to personal property. They charged Williams with trafficking meth and simple possession of marijuana. Investigators also charged Koumas with trafficking meth.
“Drugs, drugs, drugs. The common thread in just about every issue we deal with is drugs and people who are on them,” Sheriff Jim Matthews said in the press release. “People who are normal and rational do abnormal and irrational things when they are on drugs. Drug dealing is not a victimless crime as some would have us believe.”
According to the KCSO, a blue Toyota Camry was stolen from the Pilot truck stop on U.S. 601 during the early morning hours Wednesday when the owner left the vehicle running while he went inside to purchase something. A witness identified Dotson as the person who stole the vehicle. Later in the day, KCSO investigators familiar with Dotson and the area where he frequents began a search for the stolen vehicle. While doing so, Kershaw County 911 Dispatch received a call regarding a shoplifting in the town of Elgin involving a vehicle matching the description of the stolen Camry.
KCSO investigators in the area observed the Camry, which was being driven by Dotson and occupied by Williams and Koumas, traveling on White Pond Road near Elgin. The investigators attempted to make a traffic stop, but Dotson fled at a high rate of speed, passing cars on double yellow lines and speeding through intersections. Investigators observed Dotson throwing items out of his window during the chase. As the stolen vehicle came to a “T” in the road and slowed down, Dotson and Williams jumped from the moving car which ultimately crashed into a parked vehicle and fled on foot.
The investigators gave chase and managed to run down Dotson and Williams. Investigators took Koumas, who had stayed in the back seat of the car, into custody immediately.
Investigators recovered just less than 20 grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana and $400 in cash. They then transported all three suspects to the Kershaw County Detention Center.
According to the press release, Dotson’s record includes arrests for pointing and presenting a firearm at a person, driving under suspension, possession of marijuana, breach of trust, failure to pay taxes, forgery of more than $5,000, failure to return rented object, petit larceny, criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen goods, DUI while operating a water device and reckless driving. His record also includes arrests for numerous felony narcotics violations in Michigan.
The KCSO said Williams’ record includes arrests for kidnapping, burglary (multiple offenses), armed robbery with a deadly weapon and driving under suspension.
Koumas’ record indicates a previous arrest for possession of a controlled substance, according to the press release.
