Mopeds, motorcycles, vehicles, trailers among items reported stolen

CLEMSON — Clemson police made two arrests last week in a recent string of thefts of vehicles, mopeds and motorcycles.

According to a release from Clemson Police Chief Jimmy Dixon, the department has recently received numerous reports of stolen property, including 23 mopeds, four vehicles, six motorcycles and five utility-type trailers.

As a result, the city initially asked Aug. 27 for the public’s help in locating Chadwick Marion Abercrombie, 24, who they said was known to be in the surrounding Pickens County area and the Tamassee area of Oconee County.

Abercrombie was charged with one count of grand larceny greater than $10,000 in connection with a stolen motorcycle, but Dixon said officers believed he could be responsible for more than one theft.

Abercrombie turned himself in to Clemson police early on the morning of Aug. 28, and investigators were questioning him concerning his possible involvement in other larcenies.

In response to Abercrombie’s arrest, police began a search Aug. 30 for a second suspect, Todd Wayne Finklea II, 24, who they said was known to be in the Easley and Dacusville areas of Pickens County.

Through a joint search between the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and Clemson police, Finklea was taken into custody around 4:30 p.m. that afternoon.

“The suspect was trying to make arrangements in an effort ot leave the area in an attempt to avoid the arrest but was unsuccessful,” Dixon said.

Finklea was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance by sheriff’s deputies, while Clemson police will charge him with grand larceny greater than $2,000 and less than $10,000 once he has been processed through the sheriff’s office. Finklea is currently being held at the Pickens County Law Enforcement Center.

Anyone with information regarding the string of thefts is asked to contact the Clemson Police Department’s investigations unit at (864) 624-2000. Police warn that anything purchased from suspects could have been stolen.

“With the increase in population and the methods of travel used by predominantly the student population, the police department is asking everyone to be sure and use locking devices on their bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles, parking them in well lighted areas,” Dixon said. “Vehicles should be locked and no valuables left inside within plain view.”