Police: Suspect driving stolen church van in Rock Hill had open vodka bottle

Rock Hill police arrested a man found driving a van stolen from a church in Cherokee County, according to law enforcement records.

Officers responded to Piedmont Medical Center after someone spotted a van reported stolen from Gaffney, according to a report. The 1999 Ford passenger van with “Ebenezer Baptist Church” written on both sides was driving past the emergency room entrance when officers initiated a stop.

The driver, James Thomas McKee, 53, of Catawba, told officers he didn’t have a license, registration or proof of insurance. McKee was placed in handcuffs, and dispatchers confirmed that the van was stolen from Gaffney.

On the floorboard of the van, police found an open bottle of vodka.

McKee was charged with receiving stolen property between $2,000 and $10,000, open container of liquor in a vehicle and driving under suspension, according to jail records. He was placed in the Rock Hill jail, where he was expected in a bond hearing Thursday afternoon.

This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 1:36 PM with the headline "Police: Suspect driving stolen church van in Rock Hill had open vodka bottle."