Suspect arrested in connection to elderly kidnapping, Summerville PD says

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – Police in Summerville have arrested a suspect in connection to the kidnapping of an elderly woman over the weekend. The Summerville Police Department said they will hold a press conference to release additional details about the situation.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners assisted in the investigation and will be in attendance. The briefing is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday at Summerville Town Hall in the Council Chambers.

“The police department does not require further tips from the community at this time,” the agency said. “We appreciate the public’s assistance throughout this investigation.”

Officers were called to a home on Muirford Village Court in Pine Forest Country Club just before 6 p.m. Sunday evening after receiving reports of suspicious activity.

When they arrived, authorities searched for the homeowner, an 89-year-old woman, but could not find her and deemed there were suspicious circumstances surrounding her absence.

The woman’s vehicle was missing, and this led police to believe foul play was involved.

Deputy Chief Chris Hirsh said the agency immediately disseminated an “all-points bulletin” to surrounding agencies and enacted a large response to find the victim.

Several agencies began tracking the vehicle and isolated it near the Tanger Outlets in North Charleston.

Around 8 p.m., Summerville PD, North Charleston PD, and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office engaged in a pursuit with the victim’s vehicle. Law enforcement lost contact before finding it again on Arco Lane.

The suspect fled the scene, and a multi-agency manhunt ensued that included drones, K-9s, and a helicopter. The agencies could not locate the suspect that night, and the search was suspended until around 11:45 p.m.

Police found the victim restrained underneath the rear folding seats in the floorboard once they entered the vehicle. “The victim was in good spirits,” said Deputy Chief Hirsch. She was taken to a nearby hospital for care.