Security Protective Service

Early new years day at a private party in northeast Richland County a man brandished a pistol and threatened 4 guests, 3 women and 1 man. The gunman had them backed against a wall. A SPS Officer who heard the gunman yelling and threatening them started moving toward the commotion, as he was approaching the Officer was informed by several guests moving away of the seriousness of the situation. The SPS Officer confronted the gunman and after a few tense moments, was able to negotiate the surrender of the gun and de-escalate the situation. No one got hurt.

Last night while on patrol Officer Karsten recovered a stolen vehicle.
The officer was patrolling the property and noticed that a vehicle he didn't recognize was parked in the area and had no tag on it, but had what appeared to be a paper tag laying on top of the trunk. He got out to investigate and discovered that the steering column had been popped open and it appeared to have been hot-wired. After running the VIN number it was determined to be stolen out of the city of Columbia. The woman who owns it was unavailable by phone so the vehicle was towed to city impound until she can be reached.

The other night SPS Officers responded to a call about a vehical crashing into an apartment building. When officers arrived the driver fled the scene. Officers pursued and caught up with her about a block away. It turned out the driver was 14 years old and had been sneaking out with another female minor. They had accidentally backed the car onto the properties lawn and when they attempted to pull forward back into the parking lot they accelerated into the front of the building. No one was hurt. Parents were contacted. Insurance info was collected.