Person arrested after Midlands crime spree, deputies say

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– A person has been arrested after a crime spree throughout the Midlands, say deputies.

RCSD says on Nov. 15, just after 7 a.m., deputies responded in the 200 block of Blythewood Road in reference to a carjacking.

Deputies met with the victim who stated the suspect, Steven Townsend, carjacked the victim at gunpoint and left at a high rate of speed in the victim’s Lexus.

The sheriff’s dept., was able to quickly locate the vehicle abandoned and disabled near the 1600 block of Beltline Boulevard, but Townsend had already left the scene.

While at the scene on Beltline Boulevard, Richland County Sheriff’s Dept., was advised that a person matching the description of Townsend had jumped out of the stolen Lexus and stole a second vehicle, which was a Ford Escape.

Additionally, deputies located the firearm Townsend allegedly used in the carjacking with the Lexus, and say it is reported stolen out of Union County, North Carolina.

After releasing a BOLO for Townsend and the Ford Escape, around 9:30 a.m., Richland County investigators were advised by Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office that they had located the stolen Ford Escape abandoned and located Townsend in a third stolen vehicle.

Townsend fled from Orangeburg County deputies and was involved in a shooting, according to RCSD.

He was airlifted to a Midlands hospital in stable condition and remains in the custody of Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Townsend is charged by RCSD with armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in reference to the carjacking.

Also, additional charges are expected.