South Carolina woman used electronic device to steal two vehicles, cops say
A South Carolina woman was arrested Tuesday on multiple charges after she was caught behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Arianne Molina Baker, a 44-year-old Rembert resident, was charged with two counts of grand larceny, and single counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, driving under suspension (third offense) and shoplifting, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Baker was driving a vehicle that was pulled over by a deputy on Wesmark Boulevard, according to the release. The deputy saw a vehicle with “an improper license plate that matched the description of one recently reported stolen from a local dealership,” the sheriff’s office said.
After making the traffic stop, deputies identified Baker as the driver, according to the release.
An investigation showed that the vehicle had been stolen, and Baker admitted to using an electronic programming device to also take another vehicle, the sheriff’s office said. Further information about the electronic device, and how it worked, was not available.
A record check revealed Baker was driving with a suspended license, her third offense, according to the release. During a search of the vehicle investigators found meth and merchandise believed to have been shoplifted from a local business, the sheriff’s office said.
Baker was taken into custody and taken to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center, according to the release. Bond was set at $54,225 on the combined charges, Sumter County court records show. No bond was posted for the grand larceny and drug charges, according to court records.
Baker was out on bond when she was arrested Tuesday.
On Oct. 17, 2024, Baker was charged with possession, conceal, sell., or dispose of stolen vehicle (value $10,000 or more) and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and $25,000 bond on the combined charges was posted days later, court records show.
Baker was arrested again Dec. 4, 2024, on a check fraud charge, according to court records. A $2,125 bond was posted the next day, and all three charges from the 2024 arrests are pending, court records show.
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This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 10:28 AM.
