Suspects who stole, crashed vehicle fired shots at witness during getaway

Columbia police are searching for two suspects who stole a vehicle, crashed it near Greenview Park and fired shots a witnesses as they fled the scene Monday afternoon.

Officials said the suspects stole a Toyota Camry from Newcastle Drive and then crashed it into the Greenview Park sign near Farrow Road and Easter Street.

Letitia Baskett told Columbia Police that she left the keys in the ignition before going to work, saying “I wanted to warm up the car. I went back inside of my house for a few seconds, came back out, and my car was gone.”

Baskett’s son told police he saw the stolen car hours later near Farrow Road. Baskett’s son caught up with the two suspects in the car, talked with them and demanded that they get out of his mother’s vehicle, said Columbia Police Public Information Officer Jennifer Timmons, adding the suspects ran off the road and crashed into the Greenview neighborhood.

Baskett’s son told police moments before the crash, the suspects fired shots at him as they fled, Timmons said. Baskett’s son wasn’t injured during the shooting.

“A car is a car. It can be replaced,” Baskett said to the police, who said there was no word if the suspects sustained any injuries in the crash. “I’m glad nothing happened to my son.”

Timmons said the suspects are possibly juveniles and are described as being dark-skinned males with a “low” haircuts. One was last seen wearing a black jacket and black shirt and blue jeans, said Timmons, adding the other was last seen wearing blue and white jeans and a white sweater.

If anyone has information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects, they are urged to call Crimestoppers at 1 (888)-CRIME-SC.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 12:41 PM.