Fish Hatchery Road bicyclist fatality

A bicyclist died as a result of being struck by a motor vehicle May 10 in the 4100 block of Fish Hatchery Road.

Charles Justin McCaskill, 36, of Gaston was riding his bicycle along the roadway when he was struck by a motor vehicle, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fishers.

McCaskill was pronounced dead at the scene due to his injuries. The driver of the vehicle, who was not injured, stopped at the scene.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating.

3 charged in ‘chop shop’ operation

Lexington County investigators have arrested and charged 3 people in connection to a chop shop in Pelion.

Crystal Marie Black, 27, and Richard Wade Davis Jr., 33, are charged with 3 counts of tampering with a vehicle identification number plate and 1 count of operating a chop shop, according to arrest warrants.

Daniel James McCarthy, 38, is charged with 2 counts of tampering with a vehicle identification number plate, 1 count of operating a chop shop, and a gun possession violation, according to warrants.

Deputies found several other stolen vehicles and items including body panels, interior auto parts.

A handgun was found in a stolen vehicle McCarthy admitted driving, according to Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon. McCarthy has been convicted of a violent crime and is prohibited from possessing a handgun.

The 3 suspects are being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.

Lexington jail worker tests positive

A contract administrative employee who works in the Lexington County Detention Center’s health care clinic has tested positive for the corona virus.

She was last in the detention center April 30 and developed symptoms last weekend, Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said.

The contractor does not interact with inmates and has very limited contact with correctional officers or detention center staff, according to Koon.

The contractor’s work area within the detention center’s health care clinic has been thoroughly cleaned.

Temperature checkpoints are still in place to take the temperature of each employee and contractor at the start of every shift, Koon said.

A Lexington County patrol deputy tested positive for covid-19 April 3. The deputy has since recovered and returned to duty.

West Columbia man charged in break-ins

Lexington County deputies have arrested a West Columbia man in connection to a series of car break-ins and a stolen van.

Robert Haston Rogers Jr., 26, is charged with 2 counts of breaking into a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle and unlawful carrying of a pistol, according to arrest warrants.

“These charges stem from April 15 when Rogers was recorded on home security cameras breaking into cars on Main Street in Gaston,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “A deputy saw him later that same day riding in a stolen van on Boy Scout Road.”

Deputies obtained arrest warrants on Rogers for these 2 incidents and encountered him during a traffic stop April 28, according to Koon.

Deputies say Rogers had a handgun lying on the rear floorboard of his car.

Rogers was arrested on the scene of the traffic stop. He is being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.

Forklift thief charged

Lexington County deputies have arrested and charged a Gaston man in connection with the theft of a $45,000 forklift.

Michael Paul Hicks, 42, is charged with 1 count of grand larceny and 1 count of breaking into a motor vehicle, according to arrest warrants.

“Based on the interviews investigators have conducted and security video they’ve reviewed, Hicks broke into a West Columbia business April 19 and entered multiple pieces of machinery and a trailer,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Security video then shows Hicks taking the forklift.”

Hicks damaged 2 other vehicles at the business before taking the forklift, according to Koon.

Hicks turned himself in May 1. He has since been released from the Lexington County Detention Center after meeting the conditions of his bond.

Lake Murray boater died of natural causes

A Lake Murray boater died as a result of a medical event, Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher announced late week.

An autopsy was conducted May 6 on Timothy Steven Peele, 51, of Irmo. Fisher ruled his death as natural.

Lexington County Sheriff’s deputies recovered Peele’s body from near the Lake Murray dam May 5 .

Peele put his boat in at a public boat ramp near the dam at approximately 6:30 am, and the boat was discovered unmanned in the same area a short time later, which prompted the search for him.