Sumter sheriffs and police capture suspect in vehicle theft following car, foot chase

Following a car, foot chase the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and the Sumter Police Department said they arrested a man suspected of stealing a Cadillac Escalade Monday.

Goldie Bellinger, a 34-year-old from Williston, was charged with grand larceny of more than $10,000, said Sumter County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Braden Bunch.

Bunch said the vehicle was reported stolen at 2 p.m. after being left running and unlocked on the 500 block of Bultman Drive in Sumter. He said officials used the vehicle’s GPS to locate it as it was heading toward Clarendon County where a chase began on I-15 South. After eight miles, Bunch said the Escalade swerved across the median and struck two other vehicles before crashing into trees off the interstate.

Following the crash, Bunch said Bellinger fled on foot and — while attempting to escape in a marshy, wooded area — took off all of his clothes before being captured 20 minutes later with the help of K-9 units.

A woman in one of the vehicles that was struck was transported to Tuomey Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, said Bunch, who added that a Sumter County Sheriff’s officer was also transported to the hospital for heat exhaustion following the chase.

Bellinger’s being held at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center and more charges are possible as the incident is still being investigated Bunch said.