Marlboro County deputies arrest Florence kidnapping suspect

A Friday night armed robbery and kidnapping that started in Florence ended with a Saturday morning manhunt in Marlboro County and no serious injuries for the victim.

The suspect in the Florence incident, James E. Murphy II, 19, 2883 Cobblestone Street, was charged with two counts of pointing and presenting a firearm by Marlboro County Deputies, according to a release issued Saturday afternoon.

He will be released to Florence officials -- who intend to file charges -- after he is arraigned on the Marlboro County charges, Maj. Carlos Raines, Florence Police Department, said.

The release said Dillon County officials may also file charges.

The series of events started in the 2300 Block of West Palmetto Street when the victim was forced at gunpoint into his car by two suspects who arrived in a second car, Raines said.

A description of the victim's car and suspects was broadcast to area law enforcement agencies.

At some point, relatives of the victim spotted the car in Dillon County, Raines said.

“It appears as though the victim was assaulted and released in Dillon County and the suspects then traveled to Marlboro County,” according to the release.

Raines said the victim was not seriously injured and was able to call officials and report his location.

“A short time later, (Marlboro County) deputies spotted the suspected vehicle and attempted to stop it on Hwy 38 South near Coxe Road. When the vehicle stopped, two subjects exited the car and confronted the deputies at gun point. The MCSO deputies fired upon the suspects and the suspects fled into a wooded area,” according to the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office release.

Murphy was taken into custody in the yard of a Coxe Road residence without further incident shortly there after, the release said.

A SLED helicopter and dog team joined the search along with officers and deputies from Bennettsville Police, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Highway Patrol and Dillon County Sheriff’s Office. Florence sent a crime scene unit and detectives to the scene.

The second suspect may have run into a resident on Odom Road and asked for a ride, according to the release. The resident, instead, called 911.

“Here is an example of how our officers put their lives on the line every day. They don’t know what is around the corner for them. In this case, their training and experience may have kept them alive,” Marlboro County Sheriff Fred Knight said in the release.

“I commend Sgt. Wheeler and Deputy Shaw for their courageous actions and quick response. I thank all of the citizen for the calls we have received and assistance from the other agencies in this manhunt and investigation,” Knight said.

The second suspect is described as a black male with a small build, 5’7’’ tall and wore a brown jacket with a hood, according to the release.

Raines said the Florence investigation is ongoing and investigators are following up leads as they seek to identify the others involved in the initial incident and the second suspect from Marlboro County.

A handgun was recovered in the woods by searchers, according to the release.

SLED agents will investigate the deputy-involved shooting, which is policy in any officer-involved shooting, the release said.

Anybody with information on this incident can call Crimestoppers at 1-800-CRIME-SC or make a tip online at http://www.sccrimestoppers.com. Either way, tipsters can remain anonymous.