Shattered windows lead to overnight arrest in string of break-ins, SC cops say
A South Carolina teenager was arrested early Tuesday morning following a series of vehicle break-ins, according to Richland County officials.
Slade Lovejoy was charged with breaking into motor vehicles after several cars were found with shattered windows, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
The 19-year-old Columbia resident was also charged with possession of beer or wine by minor, Richland County court records show.
Shattered glass
At about 1 a.m., deputies responded to a call about auto break-ins in the 300 block of Highland Point Drive, according to the release. That’s in the Lake Carolina area of Columbia.
Deputies found several vehicles that had shattered windows, the sheriff’s department said. Information about anything that was stolen from inside the vehicles was not available.
The person who reported the break-ins provided a description of the person later identified as Lovejoy, and direction he was heading, according to the release. This information aided K-9 units in initiating a track, which led to the successful apprehension of Lovejoy, the sheriff’s department said.
Lovejoy was taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where he remained behind bars while awaiting a bond hearing, according to the release. Bond was later set at $2,565 on the combined charges, the sheriff’s department said.
The teen is scheduled to return to court Aug. 29, judicial records show.
More victims
Several vehicles in the Lake Carolina subdivision were discovered with shattered windows, indicating there were more victims of auto break-ins, the sheriff’s department said. Investigators urge any additional victims to file a report with the sheriff’s department.
Additionally, any residents in the Lake Carolina area with camera footage during the time of the break-ins are also encouraged to contact the sheriff’s department.
The sheriff’s department can be called at 803-576-3000.
Another teen arrested
Lovejoy’s arrest comes days after the Columbia Police Department announced that a 15-year-old male was charged in connection with a string of auto break-in cases at various hotels.
That teen — from Charlotte, North Carolina, whose name was not made public because of his age — was charged with nine counts each of auto breaking and criminal conspiracy, along with eight counts of grand larceny/larceny as well as four counts of possession of a stolen handgun, police said.
Police said they believe that teen could be responsible for 150 auto break-ins across multiple jurisdictions in a multistate crime spree. That teen is accused of breaking into vehicles at hotels and stealing valuable items including, jewelry, debit cards, firearms, and sunglasses.
Police were continuing to determine the identities of that teen’s co-conspirators. There was no indication that Lovejoy and the teen arrested by police were connected.
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This story was originally published June 10, 2025 at 11:48 AM.
