Police: iPad theft suspect offers victim's tablet back for his freedom

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Authorities say a 21-year-old man suspected of stealing an iPad told police officers to ask the victim to drop the charges in exchange for the location of the stolen tablet.

The North Charleston Police Department says Wayne Deshone Stewart was locked up at the Al Cannon Detention Center after the victims said they didn't care about the iPad and wanted Stewart locked up.

Officers responded to the area of IHOP on Tanger Outlet Boulevard Sunday afternoon in reference to a suspicious person seen in the parking lot.

Authorities say they saw a man at the rear of the Dunkin Donuts at Tanger Outlet Boulevard carrying a grey plastic bag. Police say the suspect was watching the officer while he entered the parking lot with his marked vehicle.

According to a police report, as the officer attempted to make contact with the man, the suspect fled on foot and was stopped in the area of Fatz Cafe without the plastic bag in his possession.

The officer told him why he stopped him and the suspect said he understood. Police say when the officer asked what was in the plastic bag he was carrying earlier, the suspect "stuttered severely," according to the officer, and said that it was trash and that he threw it on the ground.

Witnesses say that they saw the suspect enter a Dodge Caravan in the parking lot in front of the Salley Beauty Supply where he opened the front passenger door and took an item. Officers say they were able to locate the owners of the vehicle who said that their Apple iPad was missing.

A police report states that while filling out paper work, the suspect asked the officer,"Do you think they will drop the charges if they get their stuff back?"

The officer asked the victims who told police say that they did not care and wanted the suspect to go to jail.

Stewart was charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle. Police say the iPad was not located.

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