Surfside Beach police identify suspects arrested in connection to vehicle break-ins

SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - Surfside Beach police say suspects are in custody after a string of vehicle break-ins Friday morning on the south end of town.

In a statement released Friday, SSBPD Chief Kenneth Hofmann identified the three suspects as:

• William Michael Jollie, 42, of Conway
  • Charged with two counts of breaking into autos, resisting arrest and prowling
• Stephanie Marie Thomas, 26, of Conway
  • Charged with resisting arrest, prowling and giving false information to law enforcement
• Cory Thomas Hodges, 30, of Conway
  • Charged with driving under suspension, 2nd offense

Hofmann said the officers responded to a report of people breaking into vehicles at around 3:15 a.m. on the 500 block of 8th Avenue South. Initial reports suggested a resident interrupted the suspects from entering their vehicle.

Police used descriptions and searched the area and were able to locate the suspects. Jollie and Thomas were eventually arrested along 10th Avenue South and South Hollywood Drive after running away from police.

Both were said to be in the company of Hodges at the time of their arrest.

“Thanks to strong community partnerships, fast-acting officers and technology we were able to quickly apprehend individuals who came to this community to victimize our citizens,” said Hofmann. “We will unapologetically seek out and arrest those who come to Surfside Beach with ill intentions.”

SBPD is asking anyone that had a vehicle broken into overnight or may have caught video of these incidents on home surveillance cameras to call the non-emergency number (843) 913-6368.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.