Pelion Man Accused of Stealing from Orangeburg Co. Car Wash Machines

Mitch Jeffcoat

ORANGEBURG, SC (WOLO) – Orangeburg County Sheriff’s investigators say a Pelion man wanted in connection with breaking into car wash machines has been apprehended.

31-year-old Mitch Jeffcoat, was wanted on charges of malicious injury to property, possession of burglary tools, possession of master keys, criminal conspiracy, and petit larceny.

He was arrested early Monday by Dillion police, officials say.

In May, Orangeburg County Sheriff’s deputies were patrolling Edisto Drive when they spotted a truck turn into Edisto Wash and Go, a car wash business just south of the city, officials say.

Deputies watched as the driver of the vehicle appear to feign a breakdown by raising the hood. Their suspicion arose when the man kept looking around.

As deputies pulled in to investigate, they noticed the man place an item in his pocket. When they were close enough to speak with the man, they heard someone calling to the man on a radio hidden in his pocket.

The man admitted to deputies that he had dropped off a relative, who was in the process of breaking into the change compartments of the several wash machines at the facility. He had returned to pick up his uncle, according to the report.

Dustin Jeffcoat, 20, of Bub Shumpert Road in Pelion was charged with driving under suspension for third or greater offense driving under the influence and loitering.

Dillion Police are charging Jeffcoat with drug-related charges as well as charges related to the possession of stolen items, officials say.

Once Jeffcoat has made a first appearance in a Dillion city court, he will then face charges in other jurisdictions, including Orangeburg County.