Trooper catches fast-food burglars with safe in trunk

Four Hartsville men who police say burglarized a Florence Burger King were caught after a large safe they stole from the restaurant caused the rear end of their vehicle to bottom out.

A S.C. Highway Patrol trooper pulled the men over in Darlington County at 4 a.m. Monday when he saw sparks coming from the back of the vehicle as it hit the ground. The trooper then discovered a safe sticking out of the trunk, Florence Police Maj. Carlos Raines said.

Joseph Jamelle Brailey, 21, Larry Denelle Brailey, 27, and Michael Edward Jackson, 38, all of 324 Patrick Highway, and Craig Bernard Brown, 23, of 719 Hudson St., all face charges of burglary, grand larceny, safecracking and possession of burglary tools, according Florence County Detention Center booking reports. All remain in custody at the jail in Effingham awaiting bond hearings.

Larry Brailey was an employee at the Burger King, located at 2087 W. Evans St., Raines said.

The burglary happened sometime after 2:15 a.m. Monday, Raines said. Police are investigating whether the suspects were involved in several other break-ins Monday morning.

The other break-ins occurred at an Advanced Auto Parts, at 1802 W. Evans St., a Pawn Express, at 359 N. Irby St., and a Labor Ready, at 456 W. Palmetto St., Raines said.