High-speed chase involving stolen car leads police to guns, 2 arrests in Jasper County
A high-speed chase reaching speeds over 100 mph in Jasper County Sunday night resulted in charges against two Hardeeville teens, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
The pursuit lasted about 6 minutes and ended with the two suspects crashing into a ditch outside Hardeeville, where deputies discovered the vehicle and three guns, which they later learned were stolen, according to sheriff’s Det. Sgt. Jake Higgins.
Quinton Travis Taylor Jr., 19, faces seven charges: possession of a stolen vehicle, failure to stop for police, reckless driving, driving under suspension, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, unlawful carrying of a pistol, and possession of a stolen firearm, according to Higgins.
He said the 17-year-old, whose name was not released because he is a minor, faces one charge of unlawful carrying of a pistol.
Police say the chase started after deputies tried to initiate a traffic stop at School Cut Road near U.S. 321 about 9 p.m. Sunday.
The driver of the car sped away from the deputies, who were pursuing in two law enforcement vehicles as the chase reached speeds above 100 mph on U.S. 321, said Higgins.
About 9:05 p.m., the vehicle crashed into a ditch on Purrysburg Road at Honey Hill Road. Taylor, who was driving the car, and the 17-year-old were arrested, according to police.
Higgins said sheriff deputies discovered a rifle, two pistols, and over 100 rounds of ammo in the car. He said Taylor and the 17-year-old were wearing gloves and masks at the time of their arrest.
Sheriff’s deputies checked the three guns against a national law enforcement gun database and found they were stolen. Two of them were from Jasper County. They also ran the vehicle’s license plate and found that it was stolen from Hinesville, Georgia, police said.
Higgins said deputies believe Taylor and the 17-year-old were on their way to shoot at a house on School Cut Road before deputies pursued them.
S.C. Highway Patrol also investigated the crash and charged Taylor with four traffic offenses: driving under suspension, disregarding a traffic control device, driving on the wrong side of the road, and a seat belt violation, according to Lance Cpl. Matt Southern.
This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 2:10 PM.
