Florence man charged after taking Swan eggs

A Florence man faces grand larceny charges after taking eggs from a nest at Swan Lake Iris Gardens.

William Christopher McLaughlin, 30, was charged with grand larceny, said Public Information Officer Tonyia M. McGirt, adding McLaughlin was taken to the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center where he was released on a $5,000 surety bond.

Patrons of Swan Lake notified park rangers late Sunday afternoon after seeing a man enter an enclosed area at the park and remove a small number of Swan eggs from a nest, McGirt said. A park ranger called police officers, who later found the eggs in the man’s vehicle.

According to park officials, the eggs are each valued at between $1,400 and $4,500.

The investigation is ongoing.

This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 1:46 AM with the headline "Florence man charged after taking Swan eggs."