SOUTH CAROLINA — A juvenile suspect was taken into custody early Sunday morning after leading law enforcement officers on a vehicle chase that crossed into the city of Pickens, caused property damage, and nearly struck two deputies, according to authorities.
The Pickens Police Department said the incident began around 5:09 a.m. when deputies with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a shooting outside the Pickens city limits. At the scene, a deputy encountered a juvenile suspect inside a vehicle that immediately fled, prompting a pursuit.
Authorities later confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Greenville on Saturday. The chase continued into the city of Pickens, where city police officers joined the pursuit.
Police said the suspect’s vehicle was briefly contained in a business parking lot, but the driver continued to flee, causing property damage and nearly striking two deputies who were on foot. During the pursuit, the suspect also intentionally rammed a Pickens police officer’s patrol vehicle twice, according to police.
The chase ended on John Street, where the suspect lost control of the vehicle and ran from officers on foot. Police said officers attempted to use a Taser, but it was ineffective. The suspect was later caught and arrested.
Authorities said the suspect was armed with a handgun that had an obliterated serial number. Following the arrest, a joint investigation led to the execution of a search warrant, resulting in the recovery of additional evidence connected to an unrelated firearms theft and a small quantity of narcotics.
The investigation remains ongoing with assistance from the Greenville Police Department and the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.
