'Nervous' Bluffton burglary suspect returned to the scene of the crime, police say

The return of a "nervous" Bluffton man to the scene of one of three area burglaries Sunday morning led to his arrest on felony charges.

David Duke, 35, was charged Tuesday with two counts of second-degree burglary, one count of a third-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools, according to a Bluffton Police Department news release.

The charges came after Nickle Pumpers on Bruin Road, Chow Daddy's on Towne Drive, and Messex One on May River Road, were robbed Sunday, the release said.

Before Duke was arrested, investigators were working the case at Messex One early Sunday morning when Duke pulled in, Maj. Joseph Manning said.

Duke "got a little nervous" when he saw the investigators, Manning said. The detective made a note of it.

Later, at 2:30 a.m. Monday, officers were notified of a reckless driver traveling along Buckwalter Parkway, Manning said.

The description of the vehicle involved matched that of one later found parked at a gas station on the parkway.

Duke was found passed out in the driver's seat, Manning said.

The responding officer saw a handgun beneath the armrest next to Duke and an open bottle of beer -- observations that were enough to detain Duke, Manning said.

A warrant allowed police to search the vehicle, where they found marijuana, Oxycodone pills and several items taken from some of the businesses, the police department said.

Officers also found scratch off tickets taken from Nickle Pumpers, Manning said.

Duke was charged with unlawful carry of a firearm, simple possession of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone, after the officer found him Manning said.

Review of the department's public safety cameras later linked a vehicle similar to Duke's to the burglary at Messex, Manning said. At that point, the additional felony charges were filed.

Duke was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center and is being held on a $45,000 bond.

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This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 12:29 PM with the headline "'Nervous' Bluffton burglary suspect returned to the scene of the crime, police say."