Man charged with 8 counts of breaking into motor vehicle, other charges

On September 20, 2026, around 7:30 a.m., deputies were patrolling the area of Texas Street and Whitney Street after receiving a call for service regarding a suspicious person tampering with vehicles.

While searching the area, deputies located 8 cars with partially open side doors and trunks.

RCSD K9 Unit arrived to assist and while on the track, deputies saw an individual matching the suspect description walking in the middle of Whitney Street, says RCSD.

Upon detaining Charleston Tyler Sweat, he provided a false name to deputies and multiple credit cards and a wallet were found on him.

Sweat admitted to deputies the cards did not belong to him.

While being placed under arrest, Sweat became boisterous and began spitting on deputies, according to the sheriff’s dept.

Later while waiting to be booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, Sweat allegedly made multiple threats toward deputies and refused to remain seated.

He is charged with 8 counts of breaking into motor vehicle, 8 counts of tampering with a vehicle, throwing bodily fluids, breach of peace, misrepresentation of identity to law enforcement, pedestrian in a roadway, malicious injury to personal property, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind everyone that you can help protect yourself by locking your car doors.

And to also do not leave valuables in vehicles, such as wallets or credit cards and especially firearms.