Teen charged in Rock Hill sexual assault found driving woman’s stolen car, police say
Rock Hill police said a 16-year-old boy has been charged after a woman, 21, was sexually assaulted at gunpoint Friday morning near Winthrop University.
The suspect is 16 and legally a juvenile in the state of South Carolina, but the charges against Terry Shaimek Tyler of Rock Hill are serious enough for him to be charged as an adult, said Rock Hill Police Department spokesperson Mark Bollinger.
Tyler is charged with criminal sexual conduct first degree, armed robbery, kidnapping, grand larceny auto, possession of a pistol by a person under 18 and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Police said Tyler was driving the woman’s stolen car when officers and York County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped the car at 11:30 a.m. on India Hook Road.
Bollinger said someone saw the stolen car police described as a gold Cadillac and called 911.
“Thanks to them and everyone who saw it and stayed alert this morning,” Bollinger said.
There were five other minors in the car with him who had no involvement in the crime, Bollinger said.
“They were all released to their families with no charges,” Bollinger said in a statement.
Bollinger said the assault happened at about 4:30 a.m. Friday near the Rose Street Apartments and Alumni Drive. The area is adjacent to the college campus.
Police said the woman was approached by a man as she was walking toward her apartment. He asked her to let him into her apartment, and when she didn’t, he presented a handgun, Bollinger said.
The man then made her walk to a darkened area where he assaulted her, police said. He then dumped the woman’s purse and took an iPhone, ID cards and keys.
Bollinger said police found the phone near the scene.
Tyler is being held in detention with S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice pending any further court appearance.
This story was originally published February 15, 2019 at 8:51 AM.
