Update: Four Fort Mill teens accused in rash of Tega Cay burglaries
City police Tuesday named four suspects in a recent series of home and auto break-ins, according to the department’s public information officer.
The suspects, all Fort Mill residents ranging in age from 16 to 18, are accused of taking part in a total of 16 burglaries in the Lake Ridge community. Two homes were broken into and the test of the cases involved autos.
“The Tega Cay Police Department has been working around the clock during the course of the investigation to obtain leads and verify information,” said Tega Cay police spokesman Maj. David Nelson.
Nelson said arrest warrants were issued for the following suspects being charged in connection with burglaries that took place between June 26 and July 4:
▪ Luke Griffey, 17, of 2044 Dam Rd., Fort Mill
▪ Cameron Head, 17, of 2044 Dam Rd., Fort Mill
▪ Chase Griffey, 16, 2044 Dam Rd., Fort Mill
▪ Raj Kumar, 18, 2293 Reid Pointe Ave., Fort Mill
Luke Griffey and Head will both be charged with two counts each of conspiracy to commit burglary first degree; 14 counts of breaking and entering, auto; nine counts of larceny; three counts of malicious damage to property and one count grand larceny.
Chase Griffey, who Nelson said is being charged as an adult, is charged with two counts of first degree burglary, two counts of first degree conspiracy to commit burglary, one count of grand larceny and one count of larceny.
Nelson said Friday that Luke Griffey and Kumar have been arrested and that “additional charges are pending” against Chase Griffey.
Kumar is charged with one count of breaking and entering, auto, Nelson said.
More arrests are pending, Nelson said.
Only two of the vehicles were forcibly entered, with windows being broken, Nelson said. Miscellaneous items were reported missing from the vehicles.
In one case, officers responded to a burglar alarm at a home on Orchid Way at about 5:45 a.m. The owner was home, but there was no confrontation with the suspect, and the owner was unable to provide a description.
This was the second rash of car break-ins in Tega Cay in as many weeks, Nelson said.
City police were assisted by the York County Sheriff’s Office.
“We are very grateful for this partnership,” Nelson said.
Herald reporter Teddy Kulmala contributed to this story.
Michael Harrison • 803-547-2353
Safety reminder
On Monday, Maj. David Nelson, the public information officer for the Tega Cay Police Department issued the following statement to remind residents how they can help minimize burglaries:
“Please make certain that all doors and windows are locked in your homes. Turn on porch lights. Make certain that car doors are locked. Do not leave any items in cars overnight.”
In the recent Tega Cay burglaries, only two cases involved breaking windows to gain entry to vehicles. In the others, burglars simply opened unlocked doors, Nelson said.
This story was originally published July 7, 2015 at 7:28 PM with the headline "Update: Four Fort Mill teens accused in rash of Tega Cay burglaries."