Working Together to Fight Crime

On February 6, 2019 the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service at Mansfield Campground near Lake Greenwood in Cross Hill. The call was in reference to subjects who didn’t belong in the campground using the shower facilities without permission. The complainants provided the tag number of the vehicle, which was stolen out of Greenwood. Deputies located the vehicle on Hwy 39 after it fled the scene. Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, however the driver refused to stop. The vehicle was disabled by Deputies, ending the pursuit at a bridge on Todd Quarter Rd in Waterloo. When the vehicle stopped, the driver, Jerry James Brown, jumped over the bridge into Lake Greenwood. Deputies were able to keep Mr. Brown in sight and surrounded him along the bank, however he still refused to come out of the water. DNR was called and responded to the scene, however a citizen allowed Deputies to use their boat to apprehend the subject before they arrived. Mr. Brown was taken into custody without further incident. EMS was called to the scene to treat Mr. Brown due to him being in the cold water for an extended period of time. Once he was cleared by EMS he was transported to Johnson Detention Center where he was booked for Failure to Stop for a Blue Light, receiving stolen goods, unlawful carrying of a firearm, and driving under suspension.

“Several citizens in the area came out to make sure our guys were okay, and one person allowed us to use their boat to apprehend this criminal. I can’t thank these people enough and it’s a perfect example of our community coming together to put these criminals behind bars where they belong. I hope criminals read this article and know we will not tolerate this type of illicit activity. The citizens of Laurens County will continue working alongside the Sheriff’s Office to make our County a safe place to work and raise a family.” - Sheriff Don Reynolds