Smartphone Application and Social Media

Last September the Mount Pleasant Police Department released their smartphone application for iOS and Android. Since being released, the app has played a crucial role in distributing information and the Mount Pleasant Police Department would like to see more citizens take advantage of this technology. “This app is the quickest way for us to get critical information out to our citizens regarding situations that may affect them,” Inspector Chip Googe said. “We would like to see as many residents and businesses as possible take advantage of the information sent out via push notifications.” Being able to access the information directly on your smart phone keeps citizens updated even when they are not near their home telephone.

“Citizens can also view crime reports, send in tips of criminal activity and keep up with some of our social media efforts all from within our app,” Googe said.

Along with the app, the police department has moved further into the area of social media by adding several more platforms to their information sharing efforts. “We started out with Twitter about 5 years ago which works really well for getting information out to the public quickly but we also wanted different ways to connect with our citizens,” Googe said. “That is why we have now included Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Vine into our communications efforts.” Each one of these social media platforms provides the police department a different way to share information as well as allow them to reach more people.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department social media links:

www.facebook.com/mountpleasantpd

www.twitter.com/mountpleasantpd

www.instagram.com/mountpleasantpolice

www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantPD/

https://vine.co/Mount.Pleasant.Police.Dept

For more information contact Inspector Chip Googe at cgooge@tompsc.com

Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor Arrest

Name:       Scott R. Wendelberger                         DOB:         04/10/1969               Age:           45                         Race:         White                       Hair:           Brown                         Sex:           Male                         Eyes:         Blue                         Height:      6’02”                        Weight:      240lbs                         Address:  3044 Pignatelli Cresent                                           Mount Pleasant, SC           Scott Wendelberger was arrested and charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct  with a Minor on September 12, 2014. The victim in this case alleges that they were in  a hot tub together when the inappropriate touching occurred.  Mr. Wendelberger was  lodged at the Al Cannon, Jr. Detention Center.

Telephone Scam Warning

The Mount Pleasant Police Department has received several reports of a telephone scam that attempts to get victims to send them money so they will not be arrested. The subject is calling residents and portraying himself as a lieutenant with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. He then threatens to arrest the victim, or their spouse, for an outstanding bench warrant due to missing jury duty. Victims are directed to purchase Green Dot money cards and then give the card numbers to the subject so that the fine can be cleared. Residents are asked to call Consolidated Dispatch at 843-743-7200 to report any telephone calls like this and are urged to not give any money to these scammers. If residents have any questions as to the legitimacy of any telephone call they receive, they can call the number above and an officer will investigate the matter for them.  

Subject Arrested for Filing a False Police Report

Drake Michael Snide

1590 Hatteras Sound

Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Date of Birth 08/24/1987

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (September 10, 2014) On September 5, 2014 the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to a report of an Armed Robbery  of an individual outside the CresCom Bank in Wando Crossing. The reported victim  told officers that he had been robbed at gunpoint while at the bank and then drove  back to his place of employment to call police. During a follow up interview on  September 10th, 2014 it was discovered that the caller had fabricated the story and  filed a false police report. Drake Michael Snide was arrested and charged with Filing  a False Police Report and transported to the Al Cannon, Jr. Detention Center.

Scammers Posing as IRS Agents

Scammers are still calling residents posing as an agent from the Internal Revenue Service requesting money on a delinquent tax debt. They are threatening to sign out arrest warrants on citizens if they do not make a payment on this supposed debt. This is a ruse so do not give any money to these callers. The IRS will contact you in writing first about any unpaid taxes and will not threaten to issue an arrest warrant if you do not pay. If you receive a call like this, call 843-743-2300 to file a report.

Child Safety Seat Check

Trident Area Safe Kids and the Mount Pleasant Police Department will be hosting a child safety seat check on September 12, 2014 at Oakland Market. Technicians will be on hand to teach you how to properly install your child's car or booster seat. Here are a few tips from the Safe Kids website:

• For the best protection, keep your baby in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible – usually until about 2 years old. You can find the exact height and weight limit on the side or back of your car seat. Kids who ride in rear-facing seats have the maximum protection for the head, neck and spine. It is especially important for rear-facing children to ride in a back seat away from the airbag. 

• When your children outgrow a rear-facing seat around age 2, move them to a forward-facing car seat. Keep the seat in the back and make sure to attach the top tether after you tighten and lock the seat belt or lower anchors. Use the top tether until your child weighs 40 pounds. After February 2014, your car seat labels will tell you exactly how much your child can weigh and still use the lower anchors and top tether. Until then, check  both your child restraint and vehicle manuals to see if you can go beyond the weight limit for the top tether. If they both agree to a higher weight, it is fine to follow their directions. 

• Kids can remain in some forward-facing car seats until they’re 65 to 80 pounds depending on the car seat limits. Check the seat label to find the exact measurements. Discontinue use of the lower anchors or top tether when your child reaches the limits set by your car seat and car manufacturers.  You must read the manual to know about those limits. Not to worry: You will then switch to a seat belt that goes through the car seat at that time. Seat belts are made to protect very heavy adults as well as children who have outgrown a booster seat. 

Dunes West Distrubance

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (September 4, 2014) At 1:21pm officers from the  Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to Ferdinand Court in Dunes West in reference a suicidal subject, Matthew Cunningham. Officers began patrolling the  area for the vehicle the subject was driving and located it in the parking lot of Detyens  Shipyard. The vehicle was found to be empty so officers resumed their search.  An officer on Ferdinand Court observed a person in a kayak come down the creek and  make his way to the dock located behind the residence. Officers made contact with the  subject, Mr. Cunningham, who was in possession of a firearm. Negotiators and the  SWAT team arrived on scene and began to speak with Mr. Cunningham. At approximately  7:35pm Mr. Cunningham was taken into emergency protective custody and transported to  a local hospital for evaluation.