Crimes concern county's citizens

In recent months, crime has become a greater concern for Marion County citizens.
A number of break-ins and robberies have been reported to law enforcement agencies in the county and some citizens in Marion have formed a group that meets to discuss how to have less crime.
That group meets in the fellowship hall of the Church of the Advent Episcopal, at the corner of Main and Mullins streets, once a month on the Sunday before the Marion City Council meeting.

Several protective measures have gone into effect in response to their efforts, such as the City of Marion’s curfew ordinance and having more police on foot patrol. In Mullins, the Police Department formed a crime suppression team to work the streets.

To better report such criminal activity, the Star & Enterprise has compiled the following statistics.
From incident reports that reported break-ins, burglaries and robberies during September and October, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department released two reports: On Oct. 27, a residence in Gresham was burglarized and a juvenile was arrested for the crime, which reported about $50 worth of consumable goods were stolen.
On Oct. 24, a residence in Marion was burglarized. For that incident, A 21-year old man and a juvenile were arrested. Also, six weapons and ammunition was taken from the home.

Sheriff’s deputies are also investigating an armed robbery that took place at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store on U.S. Highway 76 on Oct. 19.
In that incident, two males wearing masks over their faces robbed the store shortly before 9 p.m. The two had a pistol, which they fired into the roof of the building when they entered the store. Reports said that after taking an undisclosed amount of money, the suspects ran behind the store and fled the scene on an ATV.
When authorities recovered the ATV, it was found to have been stolen out of Dillon County. Investigators continue to investigate the incident. Anyone with information may contact authorities at (843) 423-8216.

“Three weeks ago I assigned six additional off-duty officers to patrol and check property and it has worked,” Marion County Sheriff Mark Richardson said. “The number of robberies and burglaries have declined. I do this every year through the holidays but I started it a little earlier this year.” Richardson said there are deputies checking stores and businesses at night and responding to other calls.

Incident reports on file at the City of Marion Police department include the following:
On Oct. 5 Officers responded to a break in on North Main Street.
On Oct. 6 officers responded to a victim robbed at gunpoint by three men at a store on East Liberty Street.
According to a victims advocate report issued by the Marion Police Department, during the month of September, among other incidents, officers responded to five breaking and enterings, six burglaries, eight petit larcenyings, and three robberies.
During October, the department reported two burglaries, and one robbery.

Reports from the Mullins Police Department show that on Sept. 1, officers responded to a break-in at the Western Auto building on West McIntyre Street.
That incident occurred just a day after a burglary was reported at the same location. On Sept. 2, officers responded to another burglary on West McIntyre Street at the Small Paws business. On the same day, Elite Motors, on West McIntyre Street, reported a burglary.
On. Sept. 25, officers responded to a burglary at a home on Academy Street and on Oct. 10, officers responded to a burglary, observing a break-in at an office at Meadow Park Apartments. On Oct. 14, officers responded to a burglarized vehicle on South Main Street and a burglary of items from a storage room at a home on West Proctor Street.

According to a victims advocate report issued by the Mullins Police Department, during the month of October, officers responded to 17 burglaries and breaking and enterings, 18 larcenies, and two robberies.

Mullins Police Chief Russell Bass said he is well aware of all the incidents.
“It was probably the worst summer since I’ve been here,” he said, adding that some arrests have been made in the past couple of weeks.
“Investigators have done a good job, as some of the arrests have been connected on multiple accounts.” Bass said proactive measures by the department include officer visibility and having more officers on the streets, along with the department’s crime suppression team.
“I ask that any citizen witnessing something out of the ordinary to call us and we’ll check it out,” he said, adding that his department will be out in force.