FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) – A joint investigation with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in a major heavy equipment theft ring being cracked and the recovery of over $300K in property.
Major Nunn with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office says investigators have recovered bulldozers, excavators, dump trucks, heavy equipment trailers, heavy construction tools and light plants stolen from Florence County, as well as Horry, Dillon, Clarendon, Sumter and Orangeburg counties. The investigation originated in Clarendon County when sheriff’s deputies there discovered equipment reported to have been stolen from Florence County. From there the investigation led to the discovery of numerous other items of heavy equipment stolen from other counties.
FCSO Investigators have arrested Douglas Kevin Grimsley, 31, of Scranton, in connection to the thefts and have charged him with three counts of grand larceny and one count of altering or removing vehicle identification numbers. Grimsley is being held at the Florence County Detention Center on a $35,000 surety bond.
Investigators have also obtained arrest warrants for Ronald Lee Lyons, Jr., age 31, of Florence, in connection with this investigation. Anyone with knowledge or information regarding the whereabouts of Lyons is asked to contact FCSO Investigators at (843) 665-2121, ext. 468 or Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee at 1-888-CRIME-SC. You do not have to reveal your identity to leave information.
The investigation into this matter is ongoing and additional charges and arrests are possible.