Latest news with #LancasterPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged in deadly shooting of Lancaster County business owner
A 52-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a business owner in Lancaster County Wednesday evening. Just before 6 p.m., deputies responded to a home on Memorial Park Road, which was owned by relatives of Roger Ledell Baskins. Weeks prior to this incident, Baskins got into an argument with his family members. During that argument, Baskins pulled out a pistol and threatened one family member before firing several shots into another family member's car in the yard. According to deputies, Baskins then used a car battery to smash windows out of the car he shot, as well as another car that belonged to a third family member. However, no one was injured during this incident. Baskins left the scene on foot and was eventually spotted by family members in a yard on Willow Lake Road. He was then taken into custody. ALSO READ: No bond for man accused of robbing two people, including Morehead Social owner Witnesses at the scene told the sheriff's department that Baskins had been driving a burgundy 1997 Toyota 4Runner before arriving at the location. An inquiry into the vehicle revealed it belonged to a 65-year-old Charles Wilburn Presler from Rock Hill. At the request of local officers, Rock Hill Police Department went to the Presler address and spoke with his wife. She said she hadn't been able to get in contact with him via phone. She also said Presler operated a business on Memorial Park Road, which was a short distance from the home where the family disturbance occurred. Deputies then searched that business and found Presler deceased from a gunshot wound. He also appeared to have been robbed. When Baskins was arrested, deputies said they found a pistol in the 4Runner. An initial investigation indicates Baskins arrived at Presler's business a little over an hour after the domestic disturbance. 'We might never know what set Baskins off, but for about an hour and a half he was on a violent rampage in our community,' said Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the murder victim's family and friends. I'm thankful Baskins' family members alerted police to his location, and I appreciate the quick action taken by the Lancaster Police Department officers who chased Baskins down and took him into custody. Our community was not safe as long as Baskins was on the run.' In connection with the homicide, Baskins has been charged with murder, armed robbery, secon- degree burglary, grand larceny of more than $2,000 but less than $10,000, three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person convicted of certain crimes. In connection with the homicide, Baskins has been charged with murder, armed robbery, second-degree burglary, grand larceny of more than $2,000 but less than $10,000, three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person convicted of certain crimes. Baskins is being held at the Lancaster County Detention Center after his bond was denied Thursday afternoon. VIDEO: 'He was a leader': Business owner killed in north Charlotte shooting
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lancaster man accused of killing business owner after family argument leads to ‘violent rampage': Sheriff
LANCASTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A man was and charged with murder following what authorities are calling an hours-long 'violent rampage' that included the shooting death of a Lancaster business owner. According to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded just before 6 p.m. May 21 to a home on Memorial Park Road. The suspect, 52-year-old Roger Ledell Baskins had been temporality living there with family members. NC man killed attempting to cross road at busy Rock Hill intersection Deputies say an argument occurred between Baskins and family members, and Baskins reportedly pulled out a pistol, threatening a family member with it before firing several shots into another family member's car. According to the sheriff's office, he then used a car battery to smash windows out of the car he shot and a car belonging to a third family member. No one was injured during this incident. Baskins left the scene on foot, and officers with the Lancaster Police Department found him in a yard on North Willow Lake Road, where he was captured after a chase. Witnesses reported that he drove to that location in a 1997 Toyota 4-Runner, which was also on scene. Officers determined the vehicle is owned by a 65-year-old from Rock Hill. Officers with the Rock Hill Police Department contacted the man's wife, who told them he operates a business on Memorial Park Road, near where the family disturbance occurred. Sheriff's deputies checked the business and reportedly found the man, later identified as Charles Wilburn Presler, dead from an apparent gunshot wound. He also appeared to be robbed. When Baskins was detained, deputies say he was in possession of documents belonging to the victim, and a pistol was reportedly found in the 4-Runner. Investigators with the Lancaster County Multijurisdictional Violent Crime Task Force and sheriff's office crime scene investigators along with the coroner were summoned. Baskins was arrested and transported to the Lancaster County Detention Center. In connection with the homicide, Baskins is charged with: Armed robbery Second-degree burglary Grand Larceny ($2,000 – $10,000) Three counts of Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Convicted of Certain Crimes. In connection with the domestic disturbance, Baskins is charged with: Pointing and Presenting a Firearm (two counts) Breach of Peace of a High and Aggravated Nature Malicious Injury to Personal Property valued at $2,000-$10,000 Malicious Injury to Personal Property valued under $2,000. Bond was denied by a magistrate Thursday afternoon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Kentucky volunteer group uses decoy accounts to bust child predators
Editor's note: Details of the story may be disturbing to some readers. LANCASTER, Ky. (FOX 56) — Within the last couple of weeks, two men have been arrested and charged after planning to meet with teenage girls in Lancaster who ended up being decoys in a sting operation. The operations were led by a new group that works to track down child predators. According to court documents, 40-year-old Jeffrey Poynter believed he was meeting up with a 14-year-old girl last Saturday after exchanging several messages online. 'They were fully planning on having an intimate moment,' said a volunteer with the group who wished to remain anonymous. Instead, he was met by a representative with a new group called 'KY Predo Poachers.' The volunteer explained to Poynter that it was really them he had been messaging the whole time. 'There are groups like us all over right now,' he said. 'It's truly an epidemic what's going on right now.' Public forum held to address Jessamine County school safety concerns Kentucky's oldest WWII veteran dies at 108 Kentucky volunteer group uses decoy accounts to bust child predators Another volunteer with the group, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they set up decoy accounts on social media sites such as Facebook, posing as underage girls. 'One decoy account in itself currently has 550 friend requests sitting in it in just the last two weeks of older men,' she said. Once a person reaches out, they begin messaging back and forth. Investigators said some of the messages are sexually centered, and some even send nude photos. Group members said they make the age of the decoys clear, but they are sent inappropriate messages anyway. 'So, they know from pretty much the very beginning, within the first few messages, that we are 14, 13, underage girls,' the volunteer added. After about a 45-minute interview, the video shows Poynter was taken away in handcuffs by Lancaster police and put behind bars. Public forum held to address Jessamine County school safety concerns Kentucky's oldest WWII veteran dies at 108 Kentucky volunteer group uses decoy accounts to bust child predators Brandon Hensley, 37, of Georgetown, was also arrested for similar reasons about a week prior. Both face charges, including unlawful transaction with a minor. 'Our whole goal really is to protect children from social media. And the people in social media,' she continued. Group members said they also hope to use their experience to help parents learn how to monitor their children's social media accounts. 'It is really important to make sure that your kids trust you. And they feel like they can open up to you. Really, in the end, that's what it is. You know, that's what we need as parents, is for our children to be able to trust us,' the volunteer concluded. We reached out to the Lancaster Police Department for a response, and the police chief sent back a statement saying, quote, 'While I'm sure their intent may be good, I do not condone any civilian vigilantism.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lancaster County collects 398 lbs of meds on Drug Take Back Day
LANCASTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office says the Drug Enforcement Administration National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, April 26, was a huge success. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, the Lancaster Police Department, the Coalition for Healthy Youth, the Children's Council and Counseling Services of Lancaster partnered to collect outdated or unneeded medications at locations in Indian Land, Lancaster and Heath Springs. Representatives from all these agencies and organizations were on hand at the drive-through event to collect items for anonymous and safe disposal. Almost 150 people showed up. The total of medications collected was over 398 pounds, which beat the amount collected at the last event in October 2024, 109 pounds. This event is held twice a year nationwide. However, locations are available throughout the county year-round to drop off medications. The locations are the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, 1520 Pageland Highway, Lancaster (24 hours a day); the Indian Land Substation at 1821 Sandal Brook Road, Indian Land (regular business hours); the Kershaw Substation at Kershaw Town Hall, 113 South Hampton Street, Kershaw (regular business hours); and the Lancaster Police Department, 405 East Arch Street, Lancaster (24 hours a day). Only pills and patches may be dropped off. Liquids and needles are not accepted. No special packaging is required. Labels identifying patients and medications are removed, and all medications are safely destroyed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man facing murder charges after officer involved shooting, 2 found dead
A man is facing murder charges in connection to the deaths of two family members, according to Attorney General Dave Yost's office. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Kyle Varney, 26, from Lancaster has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder, four counts of murder, one count of attempted aggravated murder, two counts of attempted murder, six counts of felonious assault and three counts of improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation or in a school safety zone, the attorney general's office says. TRENDING STORIES: Township fiscal officer facing investigation for attempting unauthorized purchase of gold coins Mercy Health strikes deal with health insurance provider to stay in network Mother formally charged years after dead infant found in garbage truck Lancaster police responded to a home on North Broad Street on calls of a disturbed man on Feb. 25. Officers found Varney in the front yard holding a shotgun, according to the attorney general's office. According to the investigation, Varney fired at a woman leaving the home, which prompted officers to respond with deadly force. The woman survived the shooting, but officers found two men dead inside the house, the attorney general's office says. Varney survived the officer involved shooting and is facing 18 felony charges. The Lancaster Police Department and Yost's Bureau of Criminal Investigation are working to understate the crimes leading up to the officer-involved shooting. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
