MARLBORO COUNTY, SC (WMBF) The second suspect wanted in connection with a kidnapping and carjacking in the Pee Dee in early February has been arrested.
Lt. Jamie Seales told WMBF News Monday that the second suspect involved in the chase and standing with deputies on Feb. 3 was arrested in Aiken by SLED, Aiken Sheriff's Office, Aiken City, ATF
and Augusta Law Enforcement. That suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Marlon A. Tutt. Charges are pending against Tutt from the Florence Police Department and Dillon County Sheriff's Office.
Marlboro County deputies spotted a vehicle matching the description of one involved in a kidnapping and carjacking that occurred in Florence in the late hours Feb. 3. Deputies attempted to stop that vehicle on Highway 38 South near Coxe Road, said Lt Seales with the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office.
When the suspect vehicle stopped, two male suspects exited the car and directed weapons at those deputies. When deputies fired on the suspects, the suspects fled into a wooded area.
A tracking team was dispatched to search for the suspects and discovered 19-year-old James E. Murphy of Florence in a resident's yard on Coxe Road a short time later.
The State Law Enforcement Division was called by the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office for assistance in locating the other suspect. SLED provided an additional tracking team and helicopter, which searched until the early hours on the morning of Feb. 4 for a male suspect described as a black male standing approximately five feet seven inches tall, Seales said.
One resident near Odom Road believes that suspect may have approached him in his yard asking for help and a ride. That man may have been wearing a brown jacket with a hood.
The tracking teams from SLED and the MCSO did locate a handgun in the wooded area the suspects fled to that was collected by SLED as evidence. SLED will continue to investigate this incident, as is protocol for all officer-involved shooting.
Preliminary investigation concludes that Murphy and the second suspect were involved in a carjacking and kidnapping in Florence Friday night and drove their victim to Dillon County, where the victim was assaulted and released before the suspects traveled to Marlboro County.
The manhunt for the two suspects was conducted by the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office, the Bennettsville Police Dept, SC Department of Natural Resources, SC Highway Patrol and Dillon County Sheriff's Office. The Florence Police Department also deployed a crime scene unit to collect evidence and witness statements as part of their investigation.
Sheriff Fred Knight said, "Here is an example of how our officers put their lives on the line every day. They don't know what is around the corner for them. In this case, their training and experience may have kept them alive. I commend Sgt. Wheeler and Deputy Shaw for their courageous actions and quick response. I thank all of the citizen for the calls we have received and assistance from the other agencies in this manhunt and investigation. We are working closely with Florence PD and Dillon County Sheriff's Office to identify and apprehend the second suspect."
Murphy is charged with two counts of Pointing and Presenting a Firearm, and other charges are pending in Marlboro County. More charges are pending from the Florence Police Department and Dillon County Sheriff's Office. Murphy remains in custody at the Marlboro County Detention Center.
Further investigation shows Murphy and Tutt occupied a hotel in Marlboro County two weeks ago, but it has not been established if these two men are connected to any other crimes in the area.
Any information on the identity of the second suspect or his whereabouts should be reported to your local authorities immediately.
Copyright 2012 WMBF News. All rights reserved.
Murphy, 19 (Source: Marlboro County Sheriff's Office)
Marlon Tutt (Source: Marlboro County Sheriff's Office)
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