Alleged burglars take off

3 arrested after chase

June 12, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Pretty soon, Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office is going to have to start handing out honorary deputy badges.
On Monday, for the third time in a week, a resident played a hand in helping GCSO catch alleged criminals in the act. This time, it was a burglary.
Deputies on Monday arrested the following people: Cynthia Denise Hartley, 36, of 115 Pine Drive, Greenwood. She is charged with second-degree burglary, petit larceny, possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine.
Timothy Brandon Hartley, 19, of 115 Pine Drive, Greenwood. He is charged with second-degree burglary and petit larceny.
Stephen Dwayne Seymour Jr, of 2220 Montague Ave. Ext., Lot 19, Greenwood. He is charged with second-degree burglary and petit larceny.
All three suspects are being held at Greenwood County Detention Center until their bond hearings this morning.
According to Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mike Frederick, a resident came out of his house about 5 p.m. Monday and was getting in his truck when he saw the suspects.
“He was backing out of his driveway and saw these guys coming out of the woods,” Frederick said. “The ‘Tool Fairy’ had come. They had DeWalt tools and some other items in their hands. He got on the phone and let us know where they were.”
The investigation revealed Timothy Hartley and Seymour apparently burglarized Greenwood Flea Market on Dixie Drive, stealing an undetermined amount of clothing, shoes and small electronic appliances. Cynthia Hartley then reportedly picked up the pair in a white Oldsmobile.
The eyewitness saw the suspects entering the vehicle, immediately called authorities, and followed the suspect vehicle until GCSO Maj. Lonnie Smith arrived to begin a pursuit. Within another minute, six additional deputies arrived in the area and blocked the suspects’ path.
Frederick said there wasn’t necessarily a chase to apprehend the suspects, but the good Samaritan did follow them to let officers know where they would be. Officers communicated with each other openly via CB based on that information to surround the suspect vehicle and make the arrest.
Frederick smiled as he commented on the help the eyewitness gave.
“That’s the third time in a week now. It’s becoming a Greenwood County trend,” Frederick said. Sheriff Dan Wideman also was pleased at the resident’s actions.
“Once again, one of our citizens has demonstrated just how tight-knit this community is,” Wideman said. “I am as proud of our people as I am our deputies.”
Last week, two people were arrested after allegedly snatching a woman’s purse at Kmart. A resident called authorities and followed the suspects in his truck until deputies could pinpoint the location, and then chase and apprehend the suspects.
On Sunday, deputies were nabbed rape suspect Charles Jenkins after Jenkins led officers on a chase and jumped in Lake Greenwood and started swimming.
A couple who live on Lake Greenwood offered their personal boat to deputies to chase Jenkins, and they caught him.

Indoors, off streets

Only 1 town in Lakelands has curfew

June 12, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Teens all across the Lakelands and the nation are subjected to curfews.
Parents often place time restrictions on when they want their teens home at night. Inevitably, many of those teens find a way to bend, cheat and generally squeeze every last precious minute out of the time allowance.
There are some curfews, however, that are not enforced by parents, but rather by law enforcement agencies. Different towns observe times in which children under a certain age are supposed to be indoors and off the streets.
In the Lakelands, one town observes a curfew for teens: Ware Shoals.
The small riverside town has an ordinance requiring teens 17 and under to be off the streets from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Seventeen-year-olds who are married, emancipated or members of law enforcement are exempt to the rule.
Ware Shoals Police Chief Mickey Boland said the curfew has been effective.
“We’ve had great success with it,” Boland said. “The parents in the community have gone along with it. And that’s important. The first time we catch them out we take them home or call the parents and come get them.
“The second time and beyond, it is the parents themselves that we are looking at in terms of charges.”
Boland said the program was initiated by then-Chief A.J. Welch about four years ago.
There are several exceptions to the curfew. Teens who are accompanied by parents or guardians or who are coming home from a job are not subject to the time constraints. Nor are teens who are involved in a verified emergency or in official school, church or civic activities.
Teens in Ware Shoals also are exempt from the curfew if they are on an errand for a parent or guardian and have a note from the parent or guardian with contact information where the parent can be reached.
Boland said teens legitimately driving in their car with a specific destination will often get a pass. However, if officers notice teens consistently riding by the same places on the same night — commonly called “cruising” — action will be taken.
The chief explained why the curfew came about.
“Several years ago we came to notice an inordinate amount of young people walking on down the street and generally out at extremely late hours,” Boland said. “This ordinance has cut down on that greatly, and I believe the kids are safer.”
Other towns around the Lakelands do not have such a curfew.
Assistant city manager Charlie Barrineu confirmed Greenwood does not have a curfew, and said he does not know that any serious discussion about one has taken place.
Abbeville city manager Nolan Wiggins said his town does not have a curfew, but he has heard it mentioned.
“A city council member brought it up a couple years back,” Wiggins said. “I believe it was at a conference or work session. But that is as far as it went.”
Due West Police Chief James Smith chuckled at the notion of a curfew in his sleepy town.
“No, we don’t have that problem,” Smith said. “We don’t have a lot of teens hanging out because there’s nowhere to hang out. Everything shuts down.”
McCormick Police officer William Willis said while McCormick does not have a curfew, the issue has been brought before town council a few times, though an ordinance never passed.
Town officials in Calhoun Falls and Ninety Six also acknowledged their cities were without curfews for teens.

Obituaries

Ronnie Brown

NINETY SIX — Ronnie Brown, 62, of 2402 Tillman Territory Road, died Sunday, June 10, 2007 at his home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary, Greenwood.

Floree F. Evans

WARE SHOALS — Floree F. Evans, 84, formerly of Ware Shoals, died Sunday, June 10, 2007 at Anne Maria Nursing Center, North Augusta.
The family is at the home of a sister-in-law Thomasine Evans, 33 Sullivan St.
Services will be announced by Holloway’s Funeral Home, Belton.

Mozelle Freeman

McCORMICK — Mrs. Mozelle Freeman, a resident of Savannah Heights Living Center and widow of Jasper R. Freeman, died at Self Regional Medical Center June 9, 2007. She was a lifelong resident of Plum Branch, SC. She was a member of Pine Grove A.M.E. Church and formerly served on the Stewardess Board and the Missionary Society. She was also a member of the Bethany Lodge No. 1 Order of Eastern Star and a member of New Hope Burial Aide Society. Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Lynda Hopkins of Baltimore, MD, and Mrs. Evelyn Quarles (Larry) of Simpsonville, SC; two sons, John A. Freeman (Beatrice) of Plum Branch, SC, and Buinas Freeman (Earline) of Cerritas, CA; one sister, Mrs. Susie Harris of Baltimore, MD; twenty-two grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Virginia Freeman and Mrs. Pauline Freeman. Services are Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Pine Grove, with the Pastor, Rev. W.O. Vance and the Rev. J.J. Robinson officiating. The family is at her home at 275 Pine Grove Church Road. Services by Walker Funeral Home.

Alan Edward Fritz

GOOSE CREEK — Entered into eternal rest on the evening of June 10, 2007, was Alan Edward Fritz, husband of Claire McNeill Fritz of Goose Creek, SC. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Alan E. Fritz are invited to attend the funeral services of the former in Goose Creek United Methodist Church Saturday, June 16, 2007, at 11 a.m. Friends may call at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Greenridge Road Chapel, Friday, June 15, 2007, between 6 and 8 p.m. Burial will be private.
Mr. Fritz was born on Jan. 9, 1945 in Elmhurst, IL, the son of Daniel George Fritz and Wilma Ellis Fritz. He was a retired 22-year U.S. Navy, Vietnam Era Veteran. He was an active member of Goose Creek United Methodist Church, where he was presently serving as the chairperson of the Administrative Council. He was also a Certified Lay Speaker and a candidate for ordained ministry. He served on many other boards and committees throughout his years at Goose Creek UMC. He was a member of the Goose Creek Lions Club, worked at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and worked for Bosch for twelve years.
He is survived by his wife of Goose Creek, SC; two daughters, Carmen D. Fritz and Amy F.
Laliscio (Daniel), both of Ladson, SC; three sisters, Pat F. Kiel of Dongola, IL, Myrtle Irene Glover of Mountain Home, AR, and Shirley F. Molenda of Las Vegas, NV; many close friends and his church family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Goose Creek United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 96, Goose Creek, SC 29445.
A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.

Nasjma A. Keller

DONALDS — Nasjma Angelica “Wee Wee” “Tiny Baby” Keller, 11, of 311 Dunn Creek Road, died Thursday, June 7, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
She was born in Greenwood County. She had completed the fourth grade at Ware Shoals Elementary School and she attended Little River Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, William and Malinda Keller.
She is survived by her mother, Ida Alberta Keller and sister, Nadja R. Keller, both of the home; father, Larry Williams, Ware Shoals, SC; paternal grandmother, Anniese Williams, Hodges, SC.
Funeral services are 1 p.m. Wednesday at Dunn Creek Baptist Church by Rev. James F. Davis III and Rev. Sylvester Jackson. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body is at Robinson-Walker Funeral Service and will be placed in the church Wednesday at noon. No wake is planned.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, is in charge of the arrangements.

Odessia Miller

Ms. Odessia Miller, 60, of 702 Tabor Street, died Saturday, June 9, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Shelby, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late George and Ruby Sheppard Miller. She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, Roosevelt Givens and Ricky Givens, both of Greenwood; five daughters, Mrs. Vincent (Patricia) Byrd of Greenwood, Vivian Givens of New York, Mrs. Todd (Sherry) Franklin and Charlotte Jennings, both of Greenwood and Mrs. Brandon (Latasha) Jennings of Augusta, Georgia; five brothers, Mr. William Henry (Lena Mae) Carter of Ninety Six, Willie Miller, Bruce Steward and Mac Author Cannon, all of Greenwood and Ronald Miller of Long Island, New York; three sisters, Georgia Ophelia Ginyard, Queens, New York, Cressie Mae Greene and Mrs. James (Dorothy) Roundtree, both of Greenwood; sixteen grandchildren, two reared in the home, Tyaisa Ware and Raheem Jennings; and six great-grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 2007 at Macedonia Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Derrick Scott. Assisting will be Dr. Willie S. Harrison. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Burial will be in the Ninety Six Community Cemetery.
The family is at the home of a son, 7B Woodson Alley and the home of a daughter, 124 Dorchester St., Pinehurst Subdivision. The family will receive friends at the Chapel of Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. from 7-8 at Wednesday evening. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

James Leonard Neal

CROSS HILL — James Leonard Neal, age 49, of 402 North Main Street, died Sunday, June 10, 2007.
He was born in Hartwell, Ga., the son of Lucille Hollingsworth Neal and the late John R. Neal.
Mr. Neal was a self-employed contractor and was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
He is survived by his mother of Easley, S.C.; his wife, Rita Faye Neal of the home; one stepdaughter, Ashley Nelson of Cross Hill; three sisters, Martha Neal Lyons of Clinton, Sara Gilliand and her husband, Michael of Easley, Linda Campbell and her husband, Greg of Pelzer, a step-granddaughter; Hannah Gambrell; nieces and nephews, John Terry Carlton, Jon Mann, Michael Mann, Gaysha Thrasher, Jessica Lyons and Kayla Blakely.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2007, in the Gray Funeral Home chapel. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Baptist Church cemetery.
The family will receive friends 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com.
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton is serving the family.

Doris Turner

JOHNS ISLAND — Graveside services for Doris Harrison Turner will be held 3 p.m. on Tuesday, at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, with the Reverend Harvey Peurifoy officiating.
The family will receive friends before the service at the cemetery from 2:30 to 3 p.m. and after the service at the home of her brother, Earl Harrison, 521 Bolt Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
The family is at the home of her brother, Earl Harrison.
Doris, 84, formerly of 814 Florida Avenue, widow of Roy Turner, died Sunday, June 10, 2007 at Island Oaks Nursing Home in Johns Island.
Born in Greenwood, she was the daughter of the late Elbert Clifton and Emma Culbertson Harrison. She was formerly employed with Nantex and of the Baptist faith.
She was predeceased by two sons, D. Scurry Wallace and Grady Turner; a brother Kelly Harrison; a sister, Lois H. Turner; and a great-grandson, Roy Cooper.
Surviving are a daughter, Carole Garvin of Johns Island; a brother Elbert “Earl” Harrison and wife, Rachael of Greenwood; five grandchildren, Kay Cooper, Timothy Cooper and wife, Sandy, all of Johns Island, Julia M. Turner of Greenville, Terri W. Mostiller and husband, Lamar of Honea Path and Jamie Turner of Greenwood; nine great-grandchildren, Brittany Cooper, Madeleine Cooper, Joseph Kearse and wife, Angela, all of Johns Island, Austin Turner, Haleigh Turner, both of Greenwood, Rogir Castro of Greenville, David Page, Nicholas Page and Lezlee Mostiller, all of Honea Path; nine great-great-grandchildren, Amber L. Kearse, Allison Kearse, both of KY, Breanna Allen, Trinity Allen, Michael C. Scarpo-Kearse, all of Johns Island, Gavin Conner, Rylee Mostiller, Noah Guzman, all of Honea Path and Daniel Turner of Greenwood; and a number of nieces, nephews and other loved ones.
The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the staff of Island Oaks Living Center, in Johns Island, SC, and especially the nurse that was present as our loved one passed into heaven – her favorite nurse and caretaker, Mrs. Griffin.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory in Greenwood are in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the Turner family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Opinion

Observations ...
... and other reflections

June 12, 2007

It won’t come as a surprise to many people, of course, but it seems Congress often contradicts itself. Take two recent actions. In one, the minimum wage was increased, purportedly to help American workers. Then, many want to pass an immigration “reform” bill -- rejected but not yet dead.
Immigration reform, its supporters say, would assure a supply of workers to fill needs of contractors, farmers and others. Would the intent of a higher minimum wage - to help American workers - be compromised by propping up a bigger labor pool of immigrants, temporary, illegal or otherwise And, would it reduce available jobs for Americans? Or would it be legalizing a “quiet” way to pay illegal workers less?

* * * * *

Presidential candidates in both the Democratic and Republican Parties have participated in so-called debates in the Palmetto State.
They call them debates, but are they really debates?
Sometimes, it seems, “debates” offer little to help voters decide who to support. With so many candidates in both parties, none has enough time to “debate” anything. They don’t do much but answer a few questions, and that doesn’t offer a lot to go on.
Until the conventions, then, when the parties choose their respective candidates, “debates” amount to little more than “beauty contests” ..... which candidate looks the best. Until the conventions all else is frills.

* * * * *

There’s always a controversy every time a new justices is appointed to the U. S. Supreme Court. When the U. S. Senate plays its advise and consent role the questions always get around to whether the court nominee is liberal or conservative.
Of course, partisan politics is integral to the process, and the president’s and the nominee’s political philosophies more often than not determine who is the candidate.
Why is that? It’s logical to think justices would make their decisions on the law and only the law. But, then, it’s also logical to think that if a bullfrog had wings he wouldn’t bump his you-know-what.
Presidential elections determine many things. How the laws are applied is one of them. That may not seem fair, but that’s the way it is.

* * * * *

Radical Muslims in Afghanistan learned a valuable lesson in their war against the old Soviet Union. Apparently, so did Muslim radicals who are using the same effective technique against the U. S. in Iraq. They all learned the value of guerrilla warfare.
There’s a valuable lesson for us there, too. We didn’t learn the same lesson the radicals did.