Exciting Police Chase Unfolds in Lexington, South Carolina as Suspect Steals Patrol Car

Exciting Police Chase in Lexington, South Carolina!

Last night in Lexington, South Carolina, a dramatic chase unfolded, leaving the local community buzzing with excitement and concern. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a civil dispute on Augusta Road, which led to an unexpected turn of events.

A Routine Call Turns into Chaos

Deputies were dispatched to the scene, and upon arrival, they encountered 22-year-old Kevin Romero. Sheriff Jay Koon shared that Romero was wanted by at least two different law enforcement agencies in the Midlands, raising the stakes for the officers on the scene. Initially, Romero was seen holding a bat, but he dropped it after the deputy arrived. In a puzzling turn, he then told the deputy that he had a knife, which he proceeded to show.

The Struggle

What happened next was anything but average for a civil dispute call. The deputy quickly took control of the situation by retrieving the knife and laying it on the ground. However, tensions escalated as a struggle ensued while the deputy attempted to detain Romero. According to incident reports, the struggle moved toward the deputy’s patrol car, which added another layer of chaos to the unfolding situation. As the deputy tried to subdue Romero, the young man grabbed the deputy’s wrist, which prompted the deputy to respond by striking him in the face.

Taking Off in a Patrol Car

In a shocking twist, Romero managed to pop open the driver’s side door of the patrol car and jumped inside. Without a moment’s hesitation, he started the vehicle and took off! The deputy, determined not to let him get away, hopped into a passerby’s car and continued to pursue Romero. Just imagine that scene—a patrol car in hot pursuit, now being chased by a civilian vehicle!

The Aftermath of the Chase

With reinforcements called in, several units from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department joined the chase that lasted just a few minutes. Unfortunately for Romero, his joyride ended abruptly when he crashed on Interstate 20, near mile marker 5, in Aiken County. Reports confirm that while the deputy’s gear was intact back at the patrol car, Romero had other mischievous plans during the chase. He attempted to use the patrol car’s MCT (Mobile Computer Terminal) to navigate his way to Miami and even reset the deputy’s county-issued phone to factory settings!

Immediate Arrest

Once the pursuit came to an unceremonious end, law enforcement quickly detained Romero and transported him to the Lexington County Detention Center. He now faces serious charges of grand larceny, failure to stop for blue lights, and reckless driving. Sheriff Koon has indicated that other charges may be on the horizon as the investigation unfolds.

Final Thoughts

The incident has undoubtedly stirred up conversations around town, with residents expressing both disbelief and relief that law enforcement was able to handle the situation without serious injuries. Lexington County deputies continue to protect and serve, even in the most unpredictable circumstances! It just goes to show, you never know what’s going to happen in a seemingly ordinary day.

Stay tuned for more updates as the story develops!