By Tripp Girardeau
Aiken Standard
AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. — The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and the State Law Enforcement Division are investigating a break-in at the Perry Police Department and Town Hall where a police cruiser and guns were stolen.
A caller notified Aiken County dispatch around 1:52 a.m. Thursday that two black males wearing dark clothing were breaking into a 1075 E. Railroad Ave. property in Perry, according to a news release.
When deputies and a Wagener Police Department officer arrived on scene, they found forced entry into three buildings, the release said. The caller told deputies the suspects fled the area in a vehicle prior to police arriving on scene.
Perry Police Department’s chief of police told investigators that a dark blue 2009 Ford Crown Victoria, a handgun, shotgun and other police equipment were stolen during the burglary. The preliminary investigation also revealed that the suspects damaged equipment and files inside one of the buildings.
Police were able to locate the stolen vehicle with some minor damage around 10:30 a.m. on Root Road in Orangeburg County. It has been secured as evidence, according to the release.
The other stolen property and weapons were not recovered in the vehicle and are still reported missing.
The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the investigation, which is still in its early stages and is currently ongoing, according to the news release.
Individuals with any information related to the incident are asked to call the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office at 803-648-6811 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
Copyright 2016 the Aiken Standard