Video shows suspected thieves attempt to lose police in forest

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - Authorities have released dash camera video showing three men suspected of stealing a motorcycle jump out of a van and run into a forest early Monday morning.

The video shows officers arresting the three Georgetown men after they were led on a chase near the Georgetown-Charleston county line.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department said it all started early Monday morning, when officers responded to a motorcycle theft that happened at the Parish Place Apartments.

According to police, the suspects had loaded the victim's motorcycle into the back seat of their van.

The victim said while he was getting ready for work, he heard a commotion outside his apartment in the parking lot and saw at least two men loading his motorcycle into the back of a van.

The victim said he then ran after the van and struck one of the rear window doors using his fist.

A chase then took place on Highway 17 North around 4 a.m. when Charleston County deputies were tailing the trio wanted for stealing the motorcycle, according to Georgetown County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Carrie Cuthbertson.

Cuthbertson said their deputies assisted Charleston County, who were chasing a van containing three suspects: 34-year-old Lamont Deas, 29-year-old Brandon Priest, and 21-year-old Adrian Robinson.

When the chase took deputies just inside the Georgetown County line between the North Santee River and the South Santee River, Georgetown County deputies deployed stop sticks, causing a puncture to the right front tire of the suspects' van, Cuthbertson said.

The van came to a stop in the median. The suspects were then captured after a brief foot chase, according to Cuthbertson. Officers say they also found a dirt bike in the rear of the van along with the victim's motorcycle.

The trio was turned over to the Mt. Pleasant Police Department. All three suspects are charged with grand larceny and failure to stop for a blue light.

Priest and Deas were also charged with driving under suspension. Priest and Deas were granted a $10,652.50 bond, while Robinson was granted a $9,000 bond.

Copyright 2013 WCSC.  All rights reserved.