Safety Checkpoints Announced

 

 

 

In 2015, 840 people lost their lives in drunk-driving-related crashes in the month of December alone. Of these crashes, twenty-eight percent involved a driver with a BAC of .08 or higher.

If you will be drinking, plan on not driving. Plan your safe ride home before you start New Year’s Eve celebrations. Designate a sober driver ahead of time.

 

If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys, take them home, or help them arrange a sober ride. 

 

If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement by dialing 911. Your actions could help save someone’s life.

 

The Mount Pleasant Police Department’s Traffic Bureau will be conducting traffic safety checkpoints during the evening of December 30, 2016 in the areas of Highway 41, Isle of Palms Connector, and Hungryneck Blvd. We encourage everyone to be safe and make smart decisions in their celebrations.



MPPD Make Drug and Weapon Arrests

Mount Pleasant, SC – On December 19, 2016, at approximately 10:52 a.m., officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to 261 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard (Days Inn) in reference to a disturbance involving a firearm. Upon arrival officers made contact with the two suspects involved, Christopher Williams and Yahshua Moses. As officers were approaching the suspects, Yahshua Moses began yelling about a maid who allegedly took $6,000.00 from his room. While speaking to Yahshua Moses, he admitted to having a weapon and showed it to officers by moving his jacket allowing the handle of the gun to be seen in his right pocket. The weapon was secured and Yahshua Moses was taken into custody.

An officer speaking with Christopher Williams located a plastic bag in his jacket pocket that he admitted to containing 19 grams of marijuana, 26.7 grams of cocaine, and 24.5 grams of heroin. Christopher Williams was taken into custody.  

The victim advised officers that Yahshua Moses approached her and demanded to know who cleaned his room. During the conversation Yahshua Moses presented the firearm to her by pulling up his shirt and stating he was going to “shut this place down.”

Yahshua Moses was charged with Pointing a Firearm, Unlawful Carrying of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Violent Crime, Trafficking Cocaine Base, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, and Trafficking Heroin.

Christopher Williams was charged with Trafficking Cocaine Base, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, Trafficking Heroin, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Violent Crime.

Both suspects were lodged at the Al Cannon, Jr. Detention Center.

Armed Robbery

Mount Pleasant, SC – On December 19, 2016, at approximately 2:42 am, officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to 2846 Highway 17 North (Circle K) in reference to an armed robbery. The suspect is described as a black male who was wearing all black clothing, a hooded sweatshirt, wearing a mask over his face, and carrying a firearm. He left the scene with an undisclosed amount of money.

Anyone who may have any information on this armed robbery is asked to contact Detective Ashley Goode at 843-884-4176 or anickell@tompsc.com. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111, submit a tip through our smartphone application, or submit a tip at http://mppdnews.blogspot.com/p/submit-tip.html. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information which leads to an arrest.

Vehicle Break-Ins

There have been several vehicle break-ins near or around local gyms over the last couple of weeks. Officers have increased patrols around these areas. We want to remind everyone to lock your car doors and remove any valuables from view while out and about. Please call us if you see suspicious activity/behavior at 843-743-7200. If you see a crime in progress or any other emergency, please dial 911.

Vehicle Break-In Arrest

Mount Pleasant, SC – On December 16, 2016, at approximately 6:32 am, the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to a vehicle break-in at Fit Body Boot Camp on Market Center Blvd. A witness had observed a silver Dodge Charger leaving the area and provided a description.  An officer responding to the call observed a vehicle matching the description and initiated a traffic stop with the vehicle coming to a stop in the Towne Centre near IHOP. Once stopped both occupants fled the scene on foot and after a short foot pursuit Jabarie Cooper, of Georgia, was captured. Cooper has been charged with multiple counts of Breaking into Motor Vehicles.

This investigation is ongoing and the Mount Pleasant Police Department is asking anyone who may have any information on the second occupant from this traffic stop to please contact Detective Jenkins at 843-884-4176 or gjenkins@tompsc.com. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111, submit a tip through our smartphone application, or submit a tip at http://mppdnews.blogspot.com/p/submit-tip.html. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information which leads to an arrest.

Shooting Arrest

 

 

 

 

Mount Pleasant, SC – On December 15, 2016, at approximately 12:00 p.m., officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to Dataw Court in reference to a shooting. The victim, Jack Herndon, was located inside the residence suffering from a gunshot wound and was rushed to the Medical University of South Carolina. Ernest Miner Comar, Jr. was taken into custody and charged with Attempted Murder along with Possession of a Firearm During a Violent Crime.

Ransomware Attack

Mount Pleasant, SC – On December 12, 2016, at approximately 12:00 p.m., our Information Technology department was made aware of files that had been encrypted by ransomware. Ransomware encrypts all file types to an obscure name with 128 bit AES encryption. IT was able to isolate the two infected computers and remove them from the network. The ransomware was traced back to an email account that contained the virus.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department’s file system is backed up on a regular basis. IT restored the directories from these backups. No evidence has been lost as a result of this incident. The Town of Mount Pleasant has raised its cyber threat awareness and is taking additional measures to ensure there are no further incidents.

In Memory of Vaughn Edward Kee

 

 

 

On December 13, 1985 at 2:35am Mount Pleasant Police Officer Vaughn Edward Kee stopped an intoxicated driver on Coleman Blvd. near Sea Island Shopping Center. During the traffic stop a second intoxicated driver struck Officer Kee as he stood near his police car. Officer Kee gave his life to protect the citizens of Mount Pleasant!

Please ‪#‎moveover‬ when you see emergency vehicles to give them room to work!



Fatal Traffic Collision

December 14, 2016 Update:

 

Investigators have charged Joseph Granger of Hampton, Virginia with Felony Driving Under the Influence in this case. Mr. Granger was driving the vehicle that pulled in front of the motorcycle on the Isle of Palms Connector. Once he is discharged from MUSC he will be transported to the Charleston County Detention Center.

On 12/11/2016, at approximately 4:08 p.m., officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to the Isle of Palms Connector and Riviera Drive in reference to a collision. A motorcycle was heading towards the Isle of Palms on the connector when a vehicle turned left off of Riviera Drive into the path of the motorcycle and was struck by the motorcycle in the area of the driver’s door. The motorcycle driver was pronounced dead on the scene and the driver of the vehicle was transported to MUSC. This collision is still under investigation.

Christmas Parade

Don't forget that tomorrow is the Christmas Parade that goes down Coleman Blvd. 

At 4pm Coleman northbound between Patriots Point and Pelzer Dr. will close along with Pelzer to Northcutt southbound. 

At 5pm the rest of the parade route on Coleman will close. This is from Pelzer to Sea Island Shopping Center in both directions. 

The parade ends around 7:45pm but this time is flexible. Traffic restoration is done in stages. 

Make sure you follow Twitter (@mountpleasantpd) and have our smartphone app downloaded to get real time updates on the parade. 

I-526 Fatal Collision Update

Mount Pleasant, SC – On December 2, 2016, at approximately 9:53 p.m., officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to a fatal collision on I-526.

The investigation revealed that a BMW Sedan, driven in a reckless manner by Jonathan Spicher, overtook a Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle, driven by Gracie Benjamin, both of which were eastbound. Contact was made between the two vehicles causing the Toyota SUV to flip several times. Miss Benjamin was ejected from the vehicle onto Interstate 526 which resulted in fatal injuries. A Kia Sorrento, driven by Matthew McIntosh, and also travelling eastbound came upon the collision scene and struck the body of Miss Benjamin. Mr. McIntosh initially stopped at the scene, got out of his vehicle and approached Miss Benjamin’s body but retreated to his car and left the scene. 

The driver of the BMW, Mr. Spicher, has been arrested and charged with Reckless Homicide. The driver of the Kia, Mr. McIntosh, has been arrested and charged with Obstruction of Justice. 

Identification Needed

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is seeking the public's help to identify the two females above. The women are suspected of using stolen credit cards from residents of The Palms Senior Living Community to make numerous purchases around the Mount Pleasant/Charleston areas.

Anyone with information about these two subjects is asked to contact Detective Fey at 843-884-4176 or LFey@tompsc.com. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111, submit a tip through our smartphone application, or submit a tip at http://mppdnews.blogspot.com/p/submit-tip.html. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information which leads to an arrest.

1st Annual Recruitment Day

Wanted Person

Sonja Lynette Joyner

329 Harbor Pointe Dr. Apt. 13

Mount Pleasant, SC

5'08" 145lbs

48 Years Old

Brown Hair / Brown Eyes

 

 

Ms. Joyner is wanted for two counts of Financial Transaction Card Theft and one count of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ms. Joyner is asked to contact Pfc. Lynch at 843-534-6524 or at mlynch@tompsc.com.

 

Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111, submit a tip through our smartphone application, or submit a tip at http://mppdnews.blogspot.com/p/submit-tip.html. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information which leads to an arrest. 

Hit and Run

12/5/2016 11:26 a.m. Update:

The Mount Pleasant Police Department’s Traffic Bureau continues their investigation into the fatal collision that occurred on I-526 on Friday night, December 2, 2016. All parties involved in this collision have been identified and upon conclusion of the investigation it is anticipated charges will be filed. The Mount Pleasant Police Department extends their condolences to the families and wants to thank the public for their assistance in this case.



12/3/2016 9:45 p.m. Update: We have just located the car and driver from this collision. Thank you to everyone for the assistance!

On December 2, 2016, at approximately 9:53 p.m., officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to a fatal hit and run collision on Interstate 526 eastbound near Longpoint Road. After the collision, a light blue Kia Sorento left the scene. Witnesses described the Kia as possibly between a 2006-2008 with grey plastic front and rear bumpers. The driver was described as a white male who is approximately 30 years of age with a slender build. Witnesses also described him as having short hair as well as facial hair. A white female was in the passenger seat. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to call Pfc. Cowdrey at 843-884-4176 or email him at mcowdrey@tompsc.com. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111, submit a tip through our smartphone application, or submit a tip at http://mppdnews.blogspot.com/p/submit-tip.html. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information which leads to an arrest.

Arrive Alive - Antin Texting and Driving Video



What have you missed while texting and driving? As part of the Mount Pleasant Police Department's Arrive Alive: Beyond the Basics safe driving campaign, the MPPD presents this anti-texting and driving video showing how much you can miss while on the move walking or driving distracted. Put down the phone this holiday season and arrive alive.

Press Release from the SCDOT

Lane Shifts on I-526 Westbound at the Wando River Scheduled for

Monday Evening, December 5

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will shift the westbound lanes of I-526 at the Wando River on Monday evening, December 5, 2016. The shifts are required to provide safe access for workers, materials and equipment for repairs on the Wando River Bridge. Two westbound lanes will remain available during this project.

SCDOT Deputy Secretary for Engineering Leland Colvin said crews will replace a damaged cable that was discovered during a routine inspection. "The cables used in this bridge design are located beneath the deck. A single damaged cable does not compromise the integrity of the bridge and it remains safe for travel," said Colvin.

The project schedule anticipates completion by early March of 2017, weather permitting. The lane shift will be in place until the work is completed.

SCDOT urges motorists to use caution when approaching, moving through and leaving the work zone.

Shots Heard

On November 30, 2016 at approximately 10:51 p.m., one of our officers was getting out of his car at 1195 Mathis Ferry Road when he heard the distinct sound of two shots from a rifle. The officer also heard what he believed to be a bullet going through the trees approximately 20 feet over his head.  Back-up officers arrived and thoroughly searched the area but found no suspect nor any shell casings.