Did you buy a used car in the Midlands? It may have been stolen, sheriff says
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott is advising that anyone who purchased a vehicle in the Midlands from a man to contact the department to ensure it isn’t stolen.
Deputies arrested Javon Reeves, 31, after an investigation revealed he fraudulently purchased a series of vehicles on Facebook marketplace using fake profiles, a news release said. He then sold the stolen vehicles to unsuspecting customers. Reeves was charged with two counts of obtaining goods by false pretenses over $10,000.
Investigators discovered that Reeves created multiple Facebook accounts, featuring fake names and photos, where he would offer to buy Utility Terrain Vehicles and other automobiles. After asking for the victim’s bank information, Reeves provided proof of a scheduled wire transfer, which would later bounce once he took possession of the vehicle, the news release said.
He would then sell the vehicles to others who didn’t know the vehicles were stolen.
Between December 2024 and February 2025, deputies said they’ve confirmed two vehicles Reeves stole, but suspect there are multiple others.
Deputies are asking that anyone who may have purchased a vehicle from Reeves to contact the department at (803) 576-3000 to ensure it isn’t stolen, the release said.
Reeves was booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
