Columbia police announce car-related arrests

The Columbia Police announced several arrests in connection with recent vehicle break-ins.

Don’Chez Maliek Rice, 18, and Caleb Javon Webster, 17, were charged with auto breaking, said Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook in a statement.

Rice and Webster are accused of breaking into a 2014 Toyota Scion TC that was parked at Landmark Apartments, at 3900 Bentley Court shortly after midnight on Feb. 28, said Holbrook, adding the owner of the Toyota said he left the engine running and the car unlocked when he went inside his home, returning to find two unknown males inside the car.

According to Holbrook, the suspects ran away, but the Toyota’s owner called 911 and provided a description, allowing an officer near Broad River Road to identify and arrest Rice and Webster.

In another investigation, Holbrook said 27-year-old Chasity Henry was charged with Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle. Henry’s accused of stealing a car from 2418 Main Street on Jan. 21, and turned herself into police Monday, Holbrook said.

In still another investigation, 34-year-old William Rawlinson Taylor, Jr., was charged with Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle and Third Degree Property Crimes after being accused of stealing a 2010 Lincoln MKS that was left with the engine running while parked at the 2900 block of Rosewood Drive on Feb. 12, Holbrook said.

That car on Feb. 14 at the intersection of Pine and Gervais Streets with damage to the left side, said Hobrook, adding Taylor also allegedly stole a 1998 GMC Sonoma from the 2000 block of Greene Street on Jan. 17, and a 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck from the 200 block of South Saluda Street.

Holbrook said Columbia’s fugitive team recently found Taylor at a local motel.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Columbia police announce car-related arrests."