Another arrest made in pawn shop killing

Authorities come up empty during search for stolen guns

August 19, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Investigations into the deadly robbery last week of a Greenville pawn shop owner are continuing, with the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office making another arrest late Thursday night in connection with the case and law enforcement authorities serving a search warrant Friday night on a unit in a local self-storage facility.
Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mike Frederick said investigators arrested Josh Stewart, described as a Greenwood resident in his early 20s, after a round of interviews, and deputies detained the man until he could be charged by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.
Frederick said Greenville authorities have charged Stewart with accessory after the fact to felony robbery, adding that the man has since posted bond and has been released from custody in Greenville County.
On Tuesday, authorities arrested Benjamin Erik Case, 23, of Greenwood, in connection with the Aug. 12 robbery of the First Cash Pawn Shop in Greenville that left shop owner Timothy Henson dead and another employee wounded.
After a wild pursuit by police, which included several stolen and carjacked vehicles and reached speeds of more than 100 mph, Case was arrested in Laurens County and was charged with murder, armed robbery, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, assault and battery with intent to kill and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Another Greenwood man, Andrew Moore, 19, was arrested the same day and charged as an accessory to a felony as a result of an extensive 30-hour investigation that involved numerous law enforcement agencies.
More than 100 guns were reportedly stolen from the pawn shop during the robbery, and Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Michael Hildebrand said authorities there believe only about 50 percent of the weapons have been recovered since the incident.
On Friday, Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office investigators, along with Greenville County Sheriff’s Office officials and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, searched a storage unit at By Pass Self Storage in Greenwood in an effort to recover the weapons that are still missing after the crime.
Case was brought to Greenwood from Greenville to point investigators to the right storage facility, but after opening the unit, no weapons were discovered inside.
Frederick said the weapons were likely moved by others connected with the case before a new lock was put on the unit and the search warrant could be executed.
Before opening the unit, authorities believed a bulk of the still-missing weapons was inside, though a quick search revealed nothing more than furniture, a few items of clothing and cardboard boxes.
“It’s disappointing,” Frederick said after the storage unit was searched. “We are still on it — we are not giving up. Those guns are somewhere and we are going to get our hands on them.”
Frederick said authorities believe some of the weapons have already been sold on the streets in local areas, adding that it is thought that the weapons were sold to other criminals out of the storage facility, who in turn sold them to people in the community.
“It’s not a significant number (of weapons that have been sold), but it’s enough to make us concerned,” Frederick said, adding that it is now a top priority for investigators to recover the weapons. “They aren’t going to be sold to sportsmen or people for home defense. They are going to be sold to thugs, and if these guns get on the street, that is an unbelievable amount of pain they could inflict. We obviously want to keep them off of the streets.”
That was a sentiment echoed by Greenwood County Sheriff Dan Wideman, who arrived to watch as investigators served the search warrant on Friday.
“My concern is the rest of these weapons. If these weapons get into the hands of the wrong people, other criminals could use them against other victims,” Wideman said. “We are conducting a major investigation to go and find every one of the missing guns.”
Wideman and Frederick commended the efforts of each law enforcement agency involved in the overall investigation, adding that jurisdictional boundaries have not caused any problems for officials.
“Everybody is working well together,” Wideman said.
Frederick said the focus of the investigation will continue to be the recovery of the stolen items.
“We are still just supporting the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. The Greenville guys and our guys have done a great job of scooping all these guys up, but the only thing we are missing now are the guns,” he said.
Megan Varner covers general assignments in Greenwood and the Lakelands. She can be reached at 223-1811, ext. 3308, or: mvarner@indexjournal.com.

New leads offer relief, hope to family of missing teen

August 19, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

Area authorities are pursuing new local leads in the case of the missing 15-year-old daughter of a Greenwood resident.
Leaman Mosby, daughter of Kathy Petit, has been missing since July 27 when she ran away from her father’s Horry County home, taking only a few personal belongings with her.
“It is such a relief to know that there might be sightings of Leaman,” said Petit on word that her daughter might be in the Greenwood area. “To know that she might be out there — a mother can’t put into words what that’s like.”
Petit, along with Mosby and another daughter, moved to Greenwood in January to stay with Petit’s family, and a few weeks after the move, Mosby traveled to Horry County to stay with her father temporarily, Petit said.
Mosby had become heavily involved in Internet chat rooms over the past few years, Petit said, and family members believe the teen might have left her father’s home with a person she met online.
Though the Horry County Sheriff’s Office initiated the investigation into Mosby’s disappearance, other law enforcement agencies, including the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, are assisting with the case, and investigators had pursued earlier leads in North Carolina and Georgia. Fliers with the girl’s information have been passed out in states throughout the Southeast region.
After The Index-Journal published Mosby’s story on Friday, the newspaper received an anonymous call from a person who reported she had seen someone resembling Mosby in the Greenwood County area. The Petit family told the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office of the new information and investigators followed up on the call.
“It’s still an open lead,” said Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chris Haden, adding that investigators have contacted several people in reference to the lead and passed out fliers in the area where Mosby might have been spotted. “Now we are ... waiting to see what happens.”
Petit said she and her father, Dr. Edward Petit, also of Greenwood, were overjoyed Friday when they heard about the first potential sighting of Mosby. But she added that the family is slightly confused as to why Mosby would be in Greenwood.
“When we first got the call that there had been calls (to law enforcement), I can’t tell you how my heart jumped,” Petit said. “We are very comforted ... but we have no idea why she would be in this area unless she is wanting to be found.”
Karen Petit, Mosby’s aunt who lives in Columbia, said she was also thrilled to learn of the new leads.
“We are very encouraged and we appreciate anyone who has taken time to follow up on something they’ve seen,” Karen Petit said. “This is how these cases are solved. In so many of these cases, it is the individual citizen who makes a difference.”
Though Mosby’s actual whereabouts are still unknown, the idea that the teenager might be close by is a comforting thought for the Petits.
“Since people called so quickly, we feel excited,” Kathy Petit said. “Our spirits are definitely raised that Leaman will be found sooner.”
Mosby’s information and photo are available on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Web site, www.missingkids.com.
Anyone with information about Mosby’s whereabouts is asked to call the center at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678), or the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office at 942-8600 or 942-8632 during night or weekend hours.

Joyce Leopard Addy

NINETY SIX — Joyce Leopard Addy, 72, of 2597 Fruit Hill Rd., died Thursday, August 17, 2006 at her residence.
Born in Saluda County and a daughter of the late Ransom and Mary Smith Leopard, she was the wife of Carl Addy. Mrs. Addy was a homemaker and was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church where she lovingly served forty-five years in the nursery.
Surviving are her husband, Carl Addy of the home, three daughters and sons in-law, Linda and Billy Nix of Saluda, Debra and Tony Perry of Saluda, and Peggy and Tony Bowers of Greenwood, two sons and a daughter in-law, Ricky and Windy Addy of Saluda and Chris Addy of Saluda, two sisters, Mamie Sue Harvley of Saluda and Bettie L. Akins of Batesburg, eight grandchildren, Stephanie, Candace, Brent, Lauren, Addy, Anthony, Tyler and Jason and three great grandchildren, Haylea, Natalee and Cody.
A brother, W.H. Leopard, preceded Mrs. Addy in death.
Funeral services will be 11 AM, Saturday, August 19, 2006 at Good Hope Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Justice officiating. Interment will follow in Mayson Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer Association, 1899 Central Ave., Augusta, GA 30904.
PAID OBITUARY

Stella Earle

ABBEVILLE — Stella Dinolfo Earle, 85, of 117 Calhoun St., widow of Capt. George M. Earle, died Friday, Aug. 18, 2006 at Hospice House in Greenwood.
Services will be announced by The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.

Emmie Goode Jones

Services for Emmie Goode Jones, of 526 Valley Brooks Road, are 11 a.m. Monday at Old Mount Zion Baptist Church, Epworth, conducted by Pastor Clyde D. Cannon, assisted by the Revs. Ulysess Parks, James Holmes and Guy Ross. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are grandsons Kelsey Jones, Corey Jones, Earl M. Anderson Jr., Scamandrius Hill, Brent Jones and nephews.
Flower bearers are granddaughters Zelmia Parks, Denise Hill, Tahitia Parks, Alaccious Latimer and nieces.
Viewing is at the wake, 6-7 p.m. Sunday at Robinson & Son Mortuary.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com.

Robert Arnold ‘A.T.’ Thomasson

ABBEVILLE, SC — Robert Arnold “A.T.” Thomasson, 69, resident of 309 Brooks St. husband of Patricia ‘Pat’ Powell Thomasson died Thursday Aug. 17, 2006 at his home.
Born in Newberry, SC he was a son of the late Beauregard Lee and Holly Ruth Gause Thomasson.
Arnold was a retired textile employee having worked for Milliken Textile Co. for over 47 years. Arnold was very active in Abbeville Youth Athletics having coached Little League Baseball for many years. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. Arnold coached the church softball team for many years. Under his guidance they won 4 State Championships and in 1979 he led them to the church softball National Finals. A.T. will be fondly remembered as an avid hunter and his great passion for fishing. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by his many friends.
Survivors are: his wife Patricia ‘Pat’ Powell Thomasson of the home, 1 son Robert Arnold “Bobby” Thomasson, Jr. and his wife Rhonda of Abbeville, SC, 1 daughter Katherine “Denise” Ashley and her husband Mark of Abbeville, SC, 1 sister Clara Lanelle Davis of Iva, SC, 6 grandchildren Kimberly Thomasson, Casey Thomasson, Drake Ashley, Travis, Matthew and Carleigh Montgomery.
He was preceded in death by a brother J.E. “Screwdriver” Thomasson.
Graveside services will be conducted Saturday Aug. 19, 2006 at 11:00 AM from Forest Lawn Memory Gardens with the Rev.’s Bill Ellison and Earl Hartley officiating.
The family will be at the home 309 Brooks St. where they will receive friends.
Active pallbearers will be Red Jameson, Ryan McMurtury, Rick Barnes, Charles Williams, Mike Hendrix, Scott Sutherland and Bo Simpson.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont 408 West Alexander Ave. Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Gideon’s International Abbeville Camp C/O Pat Hodge 502 Sunset Drive Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Thomasson family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

Lillie Mae Wideman

McCORMICK — Services for Lillie Mae Wideman are 1 p.m. Monday at Mount Zion AME Church, conducted by the Rev. William B. Brown, pastor. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews.
Flower bearers are nieces and Women Home Aide Society No. 86.
The family is at the home, 124 Spring Song Drive.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Local teams score shutouts in final warmup of season

August 19, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

If you combined the point totals for Carolina, Ware Shoals and Newberry it still would not have been enough to beat any of the three victors in the 2006 Greenwood Jamboree.
The Greenwood Eagles were clicking on all cylinders in thier matchup against the Newberry Bulldogs. Jay Spearman threw for a touchdown, while Marcus Carroll and Jarvie Robinson scored twice, as the Eagles routed the Bulldogs, 33-0.
Spearman was 4-5 through the air for 50 yards while also contributing with 12 yards rushing on three carries.
“I thought our kids played very hard tonight,” Greenwood head coach Shell Dula said. “They came out and they were ready to play.”
In the second matchup of the night, the Emerald Vikings would use their veteran defense to put them on the board early in the game, and maintain a 7-0 lead for the remainder of the contest against Ware Shoals. Josh Dean picked up a loose ball and rumbled into the endzone to give the Vikings the win.
In the first contest of the evening, the Abbeville Panthers established a solid running game and scored four rushing touchdowns against the Carolina Trojans.
The Panthers shared the wealth on offense as four different players crossed the goal line. As a team, the Panthers rushed for more than 150 yards in two quarters of play, while keeping the scorekeeper busy as they posted 30 points.
The Eagles looked to bounce following a lacksadaisical performance one week ago at the Abbeville Jamboree. Wasting no time at all after starting at their own 29-yard line, the Eagles marched downfield, capping the drive off with a 19-yard touchdown run by Carroll. The play was aided by a great play-fake by quarterback Sam Chappell that gave Carroll a chance to break away from defenders.
The Eagles would recieve a favor from the Bulldogs on a fumble giving them possession on the 34-yard line. Following a 14-yard pick up by Robinson for a first down, Spearman would connect through the air with Michael Rhodes for a 14-yard touchdown pass to really get things rolling.
Carroll would get his second touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run through the middle of the Newberry defense, while Robinson would get his first when the Eagles decided to go for it on fourth-and-two from the 10 yard line. Robinson’s final score came shortly after Eagle teammate Josh Norman leaped into the air to pick off a Newberry pass.
“We came out ready to play tonight, we got after it and that’s what we’ve got to do,” Dula said.
The Emerald-Ware Shoals game was marred with turnovers by both teams in a game where the coaches were trying to establish a ground attack. The bright spot for both sides was the defense. Tommy Walker made his presence felt on defense as he harassed Vikings quarterback Evan Bledsoe throughout the contest and recorded two sacks.
For the Vikings, Kadarron Anderson led a solid defensive team effort. On third-and-five, Anderson zoomed in from his safety position to stuff Tony Lomax and force Ware Shoals to punt. Anderson also recovered a fumble and picked off a Stevie Hill pass that he returned to the 22-yard line. Louis Jackson was also in the mix for the Vikings, picking up a sack against Ware Shoals. Tailback Justin Williams put forth a solid effort for the Vikings in two quarters rushing for 59 yards on ten carries.
“Just like we said all along, we’re a little bit further ahead on defense than we are on offense,” Vikings coach Mike Clowney said. “the defense did a good job as far as forcing turnovers and helping us maintain field position.”
Abbeville would do little early in its contest besides score two points picked up on a safety, but by the second quarter, the Panthers were finding their way into the endzone with ease.
James Moore, Desmond Peterson, Jamal Mattison and Mack Hite would all score from 21, 25, 4 and 30 yards, respectively. After being supposedly stopped for a loss of yardage near the Carolina sideline, Moore reversed field and left defenders in his wake to give the Panthers a 23-0 lead. Mattison capped of the scoring on an option play to give the Panthers a final 30-0 lead.
“Next week it finally counts and we start Monday getting ready,” Abbeville head coach Jamie Nickles said. “we were a little sloppy at first but that’s what you expect at this time of year.”

‘Gentleman’ USC athlete role model for young, old

August 19, 2006

Grady Wallace was a man ahead of his times. Had he come along in recent years he probably would have had wealth beyond his dreams. He died Thursday, though, at age 72, and never realized what might have been.
Wallace, who played for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks back in the Fifties, was a basketball phenomenon. He was only 6 feet, four inches tall (if that much), but in a game dominated by bigger men, he was a giant.
Grady Wallace led the nation in scoring (31.3 points a game) in his senior season. He had a range with his jump shot that would make today’s 3-point shooters “garnet and black” with envy. He beat out a couple of players who got worldwide recognition: Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor.

BOTH OF THOSE PLAYERS WENT on to lucrative professional careers while Wallace played in an industrial league for a couple of years. After than he spent 30 years with the S. C. Pardon and Parole Board. He also coached a while and led Cardinal Newman High School in Columbia to a couple of state championships.
But Wallace, at 6’4” did something extraordinarily other than jump-shooting baskets from unbelievable distances, very often with bigger men in his face. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference in rebounding, something usually accomplished by much taller players. Wallace’s rebounding average was 14.4, a remarkable figure for such an outstanding shooter.
In today’s college game there’s no telling what he could have done. In professional basketball he likely would have made millions.

THROUGH IT ALL, THOUGH, THIS unassuming gentleman could have been the quintessential role model for every young athlete everywhere. In fact, he lived a life and set an example that all of us would do well to emulate. Ego? Forget it! Wallace gave new meaning to the word humility.
He lost out on all the riches that professional sports bring these days. Knowing him, though, nobody would ever doubt that he never regretted the Pardon and Parole Board or coaching on the side careers he had.
He touched many troubled youth along the way and no doubt made a difference in their young lives. It’s a shame we don’t have more with his character today to influence youngsters.
Grady Wallace was, in the final analysis, a class act.