Latest news with #AikenCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Barnwell Co. teen killed in crash after driver flees traffic stop
AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) – On May 15th shortly after 8:30 pm, a deputy with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office stopped a vehicle on Sheraton Drive near Atomic Road for speeding. The deputy approached the vehicle and requested the necessary information from the driver, who then took off. The deputy attempted to catch up with the suspect vehicle but lost sight of it, and ended the chase. As the deputy approached the intersection of Sheraton Drive and Old Jackson Highway near the entrance to Kimberly Clark, he saw the vehicle run the light and crash into a Chevrolet Suburban that was traveling south on Old Jackson Highway and catch fire. EMS and Fire units were notified and responded. Deputies on scene pulled occupants from the car and began life saving measures. One death was reported. The victim has been identified as 16-year-old Jaquavis Baptiste of Elko, S.C., the front seat passenger. Several of the the occupants in the vehicle were injured and taken to the hospital. Authorities say multiple firearms were found int he car as well. This incident is currently under investigation by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and the Aiken County Coroner's Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aiken County traffic accident involving hazardous materials causes detour
AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) – The Aiken County Sheriff's Office is telling drivers to avoid Highway 1 and I-20 'at all possible' after a traffic accident involving hazardous materials took place Tuesday. In an announcement posted to Facebook, officials state the road is blocked and detours are in place, after a truck spilled methyl acetate, according to Chief Deputy Eric Abdullah. Interstate 20 is being shutdown at exit 18 east bound and exit 29 west bound, and all traffic will be diverted at those exits. 'Both north and south bound lanes on Highway 1 are blocked and you will be required to get on the interstate and go to another exit,' the statement reads in part. Officials from Aiken County Hazmat, Aiken County Fire Department, Aiken County Emergency Management and the Sheriff's Office are on the scene. A CodeRed alert was sent out for some Aiken residents to shelter in place, according to a post from Aiken County government. According to authorities, the detour will be in place for an 'extended time frame,' which could be 10-12 hours. WJBF NewsChannel 6 has a crew on the scene. The driver of the truck has been taken to MCG and area businesses have been evacuated, according to our news crew. This is a developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
American Legion Post 26 discovers misappropriation of funds upwards of $20,000, SLED continues investigation
AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF)- An investigation is underway after a local organization that serves veterans discovered a misappropriation of funds. American Legion Post 26 found upwards of $20,000 missing from the post's account. Now, the post's financial officer has been removed. Members of the post are looking for answers after discovering the money was missing. 'I look at all the great things our volunteers do, all the great things our community allows us to do. The first thing I thought in my mind was, man it's going to be really hard to do a lot of those things,' said Post Commander Frank Carson. American Legion Post 26 in Aiken recently discovered the misappropriation of a large amount of money. An internal review of financial records between last November and this February showed unauthorized cash withdrawals totaling more than $17,000. ALSO ON WJBF: Fire officials warn of consequences for ignoring South Carolina burn ban 'Then the gamut of emotions that come after that, right. I'm angry because now we're not going to be able to do those things,' said Carson. Now the post's financial officer David Savage is being investigated by law enforcement. The Aiken County Sheriff's Office confirms Savage is under investigation for embezzlement. Carson says he immediately tried to contact Savage, and after multiple attempts to reach him, Savage told Carson he was responsible. Savage served as the Post Treasurer since 2023, raising thousands of dollars for the baseball and softball programs. 'Last year, he was our Legionnaire of the year. He's been running our baseball program. 2 years ago, we started a softball program for the young ladies, and he's had a hand in doing all of that. Well-respected member of the post, and one that most of us would consider a friend,' said Carson. The post filed a report with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, but now they're concerned whether they can support vital programs like baseball and Boy's State. 'That is one of our larger expenses each year, and now we're in discussions on whether or not we are even going to be able to do that. Boy's State is a great program that's also a fairly large expense where we send young men to Anderson. It's far enough out that we'll be able to do some fundraising, but instead of us saying we'll do fundraising throughout the year, now we're in a crunch,' Carson added. 'We're going to have to dig deep, get out in the community and do that fundraising, or else we're going to lose some of those programs. These are men and women that have written a blank check to our nation. They do a lot of great things for our community, and now we have to come to them to ask them to double their efforts,' Carson said. Post leaders confirm Savage is still a post member, but is not serving as the post's financial officer. An interim financial officer will be appointed at the beginning of April, and Carson says in the meantime post leaders will discuss necessary changes to financial processes. The Sheriff's Office has passed the investigation on to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. They say no arrests have been made, and the investigation is 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Aiken Co. Sheriff's Office searching for missing man
AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) – The Aiken County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating a missing man. Deputies responded to the 5000 block of Perry Lane in Salley. Family members said that 55-year-old Ronald C. Buggs was last seen on February 9, 2025 around 11:30 am leaving his home with an unknown couple in a blue compact size pickup truck. Ronald is a Black male 5'05' tall, 150 lbs., black hair and brown eyes. Aiken County Investigators need the public's assistance for any information on locating Ronald for his well-being. If anyone has any information on Ronald whereabouts or sightings, please contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at 803-642-1761 or your local law enforcement agency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Operation ICE Storm: 25 arrested, drugs and fake goods seized in S.C.
SOUTH CAROLINA (WJBF) – Eleven law enforcement agencies teamed up for 'Operation ICE Storm', including the Aiken County Sheriff's Office and the North Augusta Department of Public Safety. The project was led by the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. In a Facebook post, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office said, 'The presence of law enforcement agencies saturating a section of the interstate (I-95) during the operation not only promoted safety and prevented accidents but also protected the public by arresting criminals.' The participating agencies included: The City of North Augusta Police Department Aiken County Sheriff's Office Clarendon County Sheriff's Office The City of Darlington Police Department The Florence County Sheriff's Office The City of Florence Police Department Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Customs and Border Protection (CBP)/Air and Marine Operations (AMO), Jacksonville, FL South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) The Sumter County Sheriff's Office Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Also participating in the operation were air units from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and Customs and Border Protection. While enforcing traffic laws, Operation ICE Storm completed 1,250 traffic stops for violations. Fifty of those stops required officers to deploy K-9s. One missing person was located who had been reported missing by family members from Florence County. The individual was found to be safe, and their family was notified. Officers seized illegal drugs, firearms, counterfeit goods, and illicitly gained currency during traffic stops. Seizures: 1,112 grams of Methamphetamine 469.5 grams of Marijuana Eight grams of Crack Cocaine Six firearms $337,850 in counterfeit goods $10,680 in illicit gained currency The operation also recovered one stolen vehicle, several stolen IDs, and credit cards with a card reader used in fraud. 25 arrests were made, including five fugitives with warrants and three aliens who will be placed into removal proceedings by ICE. 'We know these fine officers do excellent work every day in their respective jurisdictions, and to have them partner with us for this operation was an honor and a powerful testimony of their professionalism,' said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis. All photos courtesy of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
