Georgetown hostage situation leads to three arrests

GEORGETOWN—Georgetown County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 30-year-old Rondell Leon Carter of 2314 Front Street, Georgetown, 18-year-old Matthew Ward Cobb of 2021 Prince Street, Georgetown and a 16-year-old juvenile of Georgetown this morning for Assault and Battery with the Intent to Kill, Burglary 1st, and Kidnapping.  This occurred after sheriff’s deputies received a call of a possible hostage situation.

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 521 Mini Mart at approximately 9:30 this morning for an alleged hostage situation that was occurring in the parking lot.  While sheriff’s deputies were responding, they received additional information that the victim and suspect just left the parking lot in a silver Toyota truck traveling towards Andrews on SC 521.

As sheriff’s deputies were approaching the 521 Mini Mart, they observed the vehicle as it was pulling onto SC 521.  The vehicle was stopped on SC 521 just before the US 17A and SC 521 split.  As soon as the suspect’s vehicle was stopped, the passenger (victim) exited the vehicle yelling for help.  Once the victim was secured, the driver (Carter) was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody just before sheriff’s deputies learned there was more to the story.

The victim told sheriff’s deputies there were two more suspects (Cobb and the juvenile) at 159 Mossdale Lane, in the Rose Hill section of Georgetown County, holding his girlfriend and another female victim hostage.  Sheriff’s deputies also learned the victim’s girlfriend was suffering from a gunshot wound that occurred last night.

While gathering this information from the traffic stop, additional sheriff’s deputies and the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded to the residence based on the information received from the victim during the traffic stop.

Once at the residence, the SWAT Team approached the residence and was met by the girlfriend exiting the residence with a gunshot wound to the leg and an assault wound to the head.  Once she was safely taken from the residence, the SWAT Team made entry into the residence; they discovered the other female victim in the living room and Cobb and the juvenile hiding in a bedroom where they were taken into custody without incident.

This incident began last night sometime between 10:00 and 11:00 when the suspects entered the victim’s residence.  The victim and his girlfriend arrived home at approximately 11:30 p.m. and were met by one of the suspect’s at gunpoint.  An altercation began and the girlfriend was shot in the leg.  They were held all night and this morning Carter and the victim from the traffic stop left the residence to obtain a large ransom. The victim was told if he did not get the money, Cobb and the juvenile would kill his girlfriend and the other female victim.

While out attempting to locate a company to cash a ransom check, they went to the 521 Mini Mart where only the victim entered the store to buy some merchandise.  While at the counter, the victim told the clerk to call 911 because he was being held hostage; this is when sheriff’s deputies were dispatched.

All suspects are currently being held at the Georgetown County Detention Center waiting to be formally charged and then a bond hearing.  The 16-year-old juvenile is waiting to be transported to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia, SC.