Suspect Captured After Extensive Search in Northeast Richland Co.

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO) – Richland County Sheriff’s deputies say they took Christopher Doctor into custody Saturday afternoon, after an extensive search all morning in the northeast part of the county.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced the arrest of 43-year-old Christopher Doctor, who was wanted for attempted murder, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, failure to stop for blue lights, and resisting arrest.

Sheriff Lott said that Doctor was arrested just after 1 p.m. at Hardscrabble and William Harden. The search to find him involved RCSD deputies, K-9, Community Action Team, and Special Response Team. Doctor was taken in to custody without incident.

The sheriff said Doctor stole a vehicle from the Broad River Road area and was spotted by alert deputies in patrol around 5  a.m. on Saturday. Doctor failed to stop for blue lights and siren and fled the area in the stolen vehicle, which he wrecked on Farrow Road, close to Hardscrabble. RCSD said Doctor ran away and was apprehended after an extensive search covering the Northeast area.

Officials report around noon on Thursday, March 17, Doctor was observed driving a gold Ford Ranger erratically on Ballenton Road; dispatch alerted that the vehicle was listed as stolen. The deputy tried to pull Doctor over, and he took off at a high rate of speed driving through the Northeast area with no regard for citizens’ yards and crashing through private fences. The Sheriff stated that at one point Doctor stopped on Hardscrabble, just off North Brickyard Road, that’s when a deputy approached in an attempt to reach inside to turn off the ignition. Again, Doctor sped off carrying the deputy with him for a few yards. The deputy was able to free himself from the vehicle and was not injured in the process.

Sheriff Lott says Doctor has a lengthy criminal history, and was already wanted on three warrants for burglary, larceny, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle at the time. The Sheriff stated that Doctor also wanted by the United Stated Marshal’s Office.