‘Screw Bandit’ is locked up, South Carolina sheriff says. He faces many charges
A South Carolina man called the “Screw Bandit” has been arrested on multiple charges, according to the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office.
Michael David Branham, a 38-year-old Columbia resident, was identified as the “Screw Bandit,” the sheriff’s office said Wednesday night in a news release. Branham taken into custody following multiple incidents in Elgin, where foreign objects — specifically screws and nails — were purposefully placed on roads to cause damage, according to the release.
Branham was arrested Tuesday morning, following nearly three months of investigating, according to the release. The investigation included extensive surveillance, camera monitoring, and the “use of advanced investigative tools and tactics,” the sheriff’s office said.
The breakthrough for law enforcement that led to arresting Branham happened at a Jan. 20 community meeting where residents provided key information that helped investigators “consolidate and confirm existing evidence,” according to the release. Specific information about the evidence was not available.
A week after that meeting, Branham was taken into custody at the job site where he worked by members of the sheriff’s office, Richland County sheriff’s deputies, as well as the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s Fugitive Apprehension Team, according to the release.
Branham was taken to the Kershaw County Detention Center where he was charged with stalking, breach of peace (of a high & aggravated nature) and malicious injury to property, the sheriff’s office said. His bond was set at $10,000 on the stalking charge, jail records show. He’s scheduled to appear in bond court Thursday on the other charges, according to the sheriff’s office.
There was no word if Branham could face any other charges, or if an investigation into other incidents is ongoing.
Information about a motive for the crimes was not available.
In addition to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and SLED, the sheriff’s office thanked the Town of Elgin, Elgin Mayor Melissa Emmons, the Elgin Police Department, Kershaw County Councilman Derek Shoemake, Kershaw County Councilman Jimmy Jones, Kershaw County Code Enforcement and the 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office for their help, which led to the arrest.
“We are better when we work together,” Kershaw County Sheriff Lee Boan said in the release. “This was a major case that placed significant stress on our community and our deputies. Engaging our citizens proved absolutely beneficial. This case is a perfect example of how crimes can be solved through community involvement.”
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