Suspect arrested, charged in Surfside golf cart thefts

SURFSIDE BEACH—Police arrested and charged a Swansea man with two counts of grand larceny over $5,000 as part of an investigation into stolen golf carts.

John Patrick Sykes, 34, Swansea, was arrested following a reported sighting of the suspect and the cart by the victims, according to the release. 

“July 16 officers received a report of a stolen golf cart from North Seaside Drive in Surfside Beach,” according to a release from the Surfside Beach Police Department.

“The custom cart, valued at approximately $8,000 and bearing a Carolina Panthers design, was later seen being driven on the street just north of Town limits by the complainants,” according to the release

“Sykes had a truck and a trailer parked nearby.  Another golf cart was found on the trailer which was also reported stolen in Surfside Beach earlier in the day.  The second cart, valued at approximately $6,000 had been stolen from a beach access in the 300 block of South Ocean Boulevard.  Both golf carts were recovered and returned to the owners,” according to the release.