NEWBERRY COUNTY — A Honea Path man has been taken into custody after a multi-jurisdictional pursuit involving a stolen 10-wheel dump truck Thursday morning, the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office announced.
Kevin Michael Riley, 40, of Honea Path, was arrested and charged in Newberry County with: two counts of attempted murder, failure to stop for law enforcement, malicious injury and possession of a stolen vehicle. Additional charges are forthcoming from Anderson and Laurens Counties.
According to a release from the NCSO, at approximately 9:30 a.m., law enforcement in Laurens County initiated a pursuit near Torrington Road and U.S. Highway 76 after receiving information that the dump truck had been stolen out of Anderson County. The pursuit continued from Laurens County into Newberry County as deputies coordinated across jurisdictions.
Newberry County deputies deployed tire deflation devices during the pursuit. While doing so, the suspect, later identified as Riley, deliberately drove the dump truck toward a deputy deploying the device and subsequently attempted to ram multiple patrol vehicles. The suspect also attempted to strike several civilian vehicles in an effort to evade law enforcement.
The pursuit proceeded through the City of Newberry, where officers with the Newberry Police Department worked to clear intersections to reduce risk to the public.
After the tire deflation devices were successfully engaged, the dump truck’s front tires deflated and began to shred. The suspect used the disintegrating tire material in an apparent attempt to damage pursuing patrol vehicles and continue fleeing.
The pursuit ended when the dump truck left the roadway, traveled across the front lawn of Pioneer Frozen Foods, and became stuck. Deputies quickly secured the scene and took the suspect into custody without further incident. An accident associated with the incident was investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Officers with the Prosperity Police Department also assisted at the scene of the stop.
“This incident demonstrates the outstanding coordination and professionalism of our Communications Division and the strong partnership between law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions. Their teamwork helped bring a very dangerous situation to a safe conclusion and prevented serious harm to our community,” said Sheriff Lee Foster.
Sheriff Foster also expressed appreciation to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for assisting with roadway cleanup and debris removal, and to the Prosperity Fire Department for helping clear the roadway and restore safe travel conditions following the incident.
Riley is being held by the Newberry County Detention Center pending bond hearings.
Further details will be released as the investigation continues.
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