Out-of-town trooper nabs suspected thief while vacationing on Hilton Head

A Michigan state trooper vacationing on Hilton Head Island nabbed a thief caught rifling through luggage at an oceanfront complex, officials say.

The incident occurred around 5 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Villamare in Palmetto Dunes, according to an advisory issued by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

Andrew Sysko, an eight-year veteran of the Michigan State Police, spotted a young man going through the luggage of his father-in-law’s vehicle, the advisory stated.

When Sysko approached the suspect, later identified as Wilson Gardner, 17, of Palmetto Dunes, the trooper asked the teen what he was doing.

According to the advisory, the teen lied to the trooper and said he was checking into the vacation rentals.

The trooper detained the teen and called 911.

​Deputies arrived a short time later, interviewed Gardner, who admitted to unlawfully entering the vehicle and another unidentified vehicle from which he stole a backpack containing a laptop, the advisory stated.

Gardner was arrested and charged with one count of breaking into a motor vehicle. He was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call Sgt. John Adams at 843-255-3415 or CrimeStoppers 1-888-CrimeSC.

This story was originally published April 2, 2016 at 2:51 PM with the headline "Out-of-town trooper nabs suspected thief while vacationing on Hilton Head."