The 17-year-old suspect who reportedly stole a car and led police on a chase through Marion County was out on bond for another stolen car chase that occurred in May, according to detectives.
It was established in court Wednesday that the suspect, Eric Swinton, will be charged as an adult. Swinton was released on a $10,000 bond Wednesday morning with the conditions that he must stay out of trouble, must show up to court when scheduled, can’t contact the victim from whom he reportedly stole the car, can’t leave the state, can’t get within 1,000 feet of the car shop, and will be on home detention with an ankle monitor, for which he must pay around $60 each week.
Mullins Police Chief Michael Bethea says the initial call Tuesday morning was for a stolen vehicle and Swinton ran from police. The chase for Swinton began in Mullins and ended in the Zion community of Marion County. The manhunt began around 11 a.m. and the Swinton was taken into custody around 11:45 a.m.
Bethea also says no officers were hurt and no patrol cars were damaged. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office assisted Marion police.
Detectives and Swinton acknowledged at Wednesday’s bond heating that Swinton was out of jail on bond for a separate stolen car chase that occurred May 29. Swinton is also on probation, according to court information.
