Pickens, SC – A high-speed chase involving a stolen vehicle and a teen suspect armed with a handgun ended in Pickens, South Carolina early Sunday morning, according to authorities. The incident involved multiple law enforcement agencies and prompted an ongoing investigation into related criminal activity.
Chase Begins Outside City Limits
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded to a gunshot call outside city limits at approximately 4:30 a.m. Sunday. Officers soon encountered a stolen vehicle from Greenville with a teen driver who fled from law enforcement, sparking a pursuit.
City officers joined the chase as the vehicle entered Pickens, initially believed to have stopped in a business parking lot. However, the teen continued fleeing, causing damage to property and putting bystanders and officers on foot at risk. During the escape, the teen rammed a Pickens City officer’s vehicle twice to evade capture.
Arrest and Charges
The pursuit ended on John Street, where the teen lost control of the vehicle and fled on foot. Officers deployed a taser, which proved ineffective, but law enforcement ultimately took the suspect into custody despite active resistance.
Authorities confirmed that the teen was armed with a handgun featuring an obliterated serial number. Because the suspect is a juvenile, their identity has not been released.
Evidence Recovered
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office stated that a joint investigation with multiple agencies, including the Greenville Police Department and the Department of Juvenile Justice, is ongoing. During the investigation, authorities executed one search warrant, recovering additional evidence related to an unrelated firearms theft and a small quantity of narcotics.
Law enforcement emphasized that the teen’s actions during the pursuit — including ignoring commands and emergency equipment, causing property damage, and nearly striking officers and civilians — demonstrate the seriousness of the incident.
Community Safety and Response
Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity. The multi-agency response highlights the importance of coordination between local and county law enforcement in preventing potential tragedies during high-risk pursuits.
The sheriff’s office continues to work with city and federal partners to ensure the teen is held accountable while also examining links to other criminal activity in the region.
How can communities better prevent stolen vehicle incidents and armed confrontations involving juveniles? What steps should law enforcement take to protect public safety during high-speed pursuits?
Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss ways to keep Pickens and surrounding areas safe from similar incidents.
