The Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) arrested a Lugoff man and is seeking another man in connection with at least one burglary and a vehicle chase that took place Thursday. According to an account of the incident and a copy of an official report provided by KCSO Chief Deputy Steve Knafelc, deputies arrested Thomas Jaice Bryant, 22, of Baker Street, Lugoff.
Around 10:15 a.m. Thursday, dispatchers sent deputies to Lovett Road in Lugoff to a report of an active burglary. The caller gave a description of the suspect and their vehicle, and said that the suspect placed a TV in the back of an older model, burgundy Ford F-150 extended cab pickup. Deputies riding through the area spotted a truck matching that description.
A deputy activated their blue lights and siren, only to have the truck’s driver increase speed. The deputy advised dispatchers to contact the S.C. Highway Patrol and Camden Police Department because speeds along S.C. 34 (Bishopville Highway) reached up to 90 mph in 45 and 55 mph zones. The driver of the truck reportedly “locked” their brakes continuously in an effort to cause the deputy to wreck their patrol car. When the chase passed Skyview Drive on U.S. 1 at between 75 and 85 mph, the driver did slam on his brakes, causing him to lose control of the truck. He crashed into a telephone pole, disabling the truck.
The deputy exited his patrol car and demanded the driver to get out of the truck at gunpoint. At that point, the passenger -- described as a black male who initially covered his face with a piece of clothing -- got out of the truck and ran toward Skyview Drive.
The deputy ordered the suspect -- later identified as Bryant -- to exit the truck through the window. He holstered his service weapon, grabbed Bryant’s left arm and pulled him through the window and then across his patrol car hood, ordering him to the ground. During the struggle, two citizens -- including a volunteer firefighter -- and a Camden police officer helped control Bryant enough for the deputy to place him in handcuffs. During the scuffle, the deputy suffered a dislocated finger and required medical treatment.
Other deputies circulated around the area in the hopes of finding the passenger, but could not locate him. After Bryant received treatment at KershawHealth due to some minor injuries, deputies transported him to the Kershaw County Detention Center.
Based on the still ongoing investigation, deputies learned that Bryant had broken into another residence on Kennedy Street in Camden. There, he allegedly kicked in a garage door to gain entry and, once inside, proceeded to take many items. He then allegedly drove to the Lovett Street residence and also broke into that home.
According to Knafelc’s account, Bryant confessed to both burglaries. Deputies charged him with two counts of second-degree burglary and one count each of failing to stop for blue lights and resisting arrest.
The passenger is described as a black male with small frame who was wearing dark shorts and a black shirt, and held a blue rag or other piece of clothing over his face to hide his identity. Anyone with information about that man is asked to call the sheriff’s office at (803) 425-1512 and ask for Investigator Blackmon.
According to jail records, Bryant is still being held on a total of $55,000 bond.
Fort Jackson Road
Monday morning, the KSCO posted on its Facebook page that it was investigating a shooting on the 1900 block of Ft. Jackson Boulevard (S.C. 12) in Lugoff.
“The suspect(s) are unknown at this time,” deputies posted around 11 a.m. Monday. “No person was injured; however, the household dog was shot. Deputies are currently processing the scene as well as searching for the wounded dog.”
Anyone with information about Monday morning’s shooting is asked to call Investigator Chris Davis, also at (803) 425-1512.
