An arrest has been made in some motor vehicle thefts, according to the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office.
On December 21st, 2023, Deputies received a report of a stolen vehicle. It was reported the vehicle was stolen from the 189-mile marker, on the northbound side of I-95. The vehicle was reported to be a silver 2007 Toyota Corolla with a North Carolina tag. Deputies entered the vehicle into NCIC as stolen, and Detective Anthony Inman was assigned as the lead investigator.
During the investigation, it was learned this vehicle was tagged by the SC Highway Patrol on December 10th, 2023, as legal notice to the owner of the vehicle that the vehicle would be towed if not removed. Upon contacting the SC Highway Patrol, it was learned they had not towed the vehicle.
On January 3rd, 2024, Deputies received a report of a stolen vehicle. It was reported this vehicle was stolen from I-95 in between the 177-178 Southbound.
The victim reported the vehicle had mechanical issues and when he returned to check on the car, it had a twenty-four-hour notice sticker that he assumed the SC Highway Patrol placed on his vehicle. The victim advised he went and got help to tow the vehicle.
When he returned, the vehicle was gone. Upon checking with the SC Highway Patrol, it was learned they did not tow the vehicle.
The vehicle was reported to be a blue BMW, 328I, with a North Carolina license tag. Deputies entered the vehicle into NCIC as stolen. Detective Inman was assigned lead investigator.
During the investigation, detectives learned of a red tow truck unlawfully towing vehicles from the interstate. On January 23rd, 2024, Detective Inman was traveling east on Highway 9, in the Riverdale community when he spotted a red tow truck with no license plate lights.
Detective Inman conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle where it was discovered the license plate on the vehicle was a novelty SC license plate reading #1 DAD.
The driver was identified as Christopher A Lester. Detective Inman explained the reason for the traffic stop and determined the vehicle did not have a legal license plate, no insurance, and Lester’s driver’s license was suspended.
Lester was taken into custody for the traffic offenses and a wrecker was called for the tow truck.
Upon further investigation, Christopher Lester was identified as the suspect driving the red tow truck, unlawfully towing vehicles from the interstate.
Detective Inman, Detective Dennis Cox and Violent Crime Task Force Detective Ryan Bethea and Detective Troy Jones were able to recover the above stolen vehicles.
Christopher A Lester, 30, from Marion, is charged with Driving Under Suspension 3rd Offense, Operating Uninsured Vehicle, Failure to Register, Grand Larceny $10,000 or more, Grand Larceny $2,000 to $10,000.
Sheriff Hamilton would like to thank Detective Inman, Detective Cox, Violent Crime Task Force Detective R. Bethea and Detective T. Jones for their hard work and dedication to the citizens of Dillon County.
Note: Suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
