VA loan in Richland, SC

Richland County, SC – Investigators are asking for the public’s help today to identify a suspect connected to a series of burglaries and vehicle thefts in the Wildflower Road area earlier this month.

According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), deputies are attempting to identify a male suspect allegedly involved in a burglary in which he broke into a woman’s home, stole her vehicle keys and credit cards, and took her vehicle. Investigators say the suspect later returned the vehicle to the residence, then came back again, took the keys, and stole the vehicle a second time.

RCSD said the initial vehicle theft occurred Saturday, November 16, 2025, in the Wildflower Road area of Richland County. The vehicle was reportedly stolen again on Sunday, November 17, 2025. Investigators say the suspect then attempted to use the victim’s credit cards on Monday, November 18, 2025.

Surveillance images released by the sheriff’s department show the suspect inside what appears to be a convenience store. His identity remains unknown, and deputies are urging anyone who recognizes the individual or has information related to the case to come forward.

The case was highlighted as part of the department’s ongoing “Wanted Wednesday” initiative, which uses public assistance to help identify suspects in active investigations. Authorities emphasize that tips can be submitted anonymously.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 803-576-3000. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Deputies remind the public not to approach the suspect and to share any relevant information directly with law enforcement.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A man was arrested after a high-speed chase ended in a crash into a power pole in Richland County.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department said 32-year-old Leland Cheeks was charged Friday with failure to stop for blue lights, reckless driving, driving under suspension and striking a fixture on or adjacent to the roadway.

RCSD said Cheeks was driving a white Jaguar SUV that fled from deputies at around 10:30 p.m. Friday. The car was spotted again minutes later near Parklane Road, but Cheeks reportedly didn’t stop for lights and sirens - initiating a chase.

Other details of the pursuit were redacted from an RCSD incident report obtained by WIS on Monday. However, it does state that Cheeks crashed into another vehicle during the chase on Interstate 77 South, as well as a power pole that caused a transformer to blow.

After the second crash, deputies surrounded the vehicle and began calling Cheeks out. RCSD also opened the driver’s door and demanded that Cheeks show his hands, or a K-9 would go after him.

The sheriff’s department said Cheeks then came out of the wreckage on his hands and knees. He was detained at the scene.

Cheeks was treated at a hospital for foot and leg pain. He was later released and booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. As of noon Monday, records show he is being held on a nearly $33,000 bond.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol took over the investigation of the crash on I-77, while Dominion Energy crews responded to repair the power pole and transformer.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after a Friday night shooting left one person dead and another hurt.

Deputies said they were dispatched Friday around 9:30 p.m. to the 7500 block of Hunt Club Road after reports of a shooting. After arriving, deputies said they located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his midsection. RCSD said deputies provided medical aid to the victim until EMS arrived and transported the victim to a local hospital.

While circulating the immediate area for additional evidence, deputies found two guns: one inside the residence and another outside on the ground.

According to investigators, after arriving at the hospital, another shooting victim was being transported to the same hospital. Investigators learned the second victim, also a male, had a gunshot wound to the upper body and was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Investigators said they were able to conclude that both gunshot wound victims were related to the same incident.

RCSD says this is an active and ongoing investigation.

The department asks if anyone has information about the incident to call RCSD at 803-576-3000 or submit a tip through CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC.

This is a developing story. Check back here for more updates as we learn more.

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Editor’s note: This story was updated Thursday at 10:15 a.m. to clarify that deputies did not cause the large knot that can be seen on the top of Outen’s head.

A traffic stop by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department — captured on the TV show “On Patrol: Live” — left a man with multiple injuries to his face after refusing to exit his vehicle. The department now says it plans to review its use of force policy.

Around 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 6, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Maxie Outen, 31, on Hardscrabble Road for failing to maintain lane, according to a news release.

Upon making contact with Outen, a deputy spotted a white substance inside a plastic bag that Outen said was a narcotic, the release said.

Outen was then ordered out of the car, but refused, according to the release. A fight between deputies and Outen broke out and lasted several minutes, during which deputies struck Outen multiple times as the 31-year-old resisted and kicked deputies, the release said. A Taser was also deployed but was ineffective.

Once detained, deputies searched Outen’s vehicle and found an open bottle of liquor, narcotics, a firearm and a box of ammunition. He was charged with possession of a schedule 1 narcotic, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, transport of liquor by vehicle with a seal broken, third-degree assault and battery and resisting arrest, according to the release.

In a mugshot photo, Outen appeared to have a bruise around his left eye with blood surrounding his nose and lips. The knot on top of Outen’s head was not a result of the incident, according to Sheriff Leon Lott and a photo of Outen’s driver’s license, taken before his encounter with deputies.

The department said in a news release that it will review its use of force policy and that its Citizens Advisory Council will review the incident during a meeting in January.

Outen was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. He was released on a $17,382.50 bond, according to the release.

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - The NAACP condemned an arrest in Richland County seen during a recent episode of “On Patrol: Live” that has sparked debate online.

The organization’s South Carolina chapter released a statement Thursday, nearly a week after the arrest of 31-year-old Maxie Outen by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department aired on the show and sparked debate online.

“Recently, OPL filmed officers of the Richland County (SC) Sheriff’s Department subjecting citizens to beatings and tasings. The NAACP-South Carolina State Conference (NAACPSC) strongly urges the citizens of this State to join them in insisting on a full investigation of these incidents,” the NAACP said in its statement.

The NAACP added that it argues the show “broadcasts arrests as a form of ‘entertainment’ at the expense of possibly jeopardizing an individual’s right to a fair trial.”

RCSD said Outen was taken into custody Saturday on Hardscrabble Road after deputies pulled him over for swerving in the road. Outen reportedly admitted to having narcotics in his car, but did not step out of the car when asked.

Deputies are then seen on video trying to force Outen out of the car, dragging him by his feet as well as punching and Tasing him multiple times. The department noted that it was, in their words, “an indication of someone under the influence of drugs.”

Outen was eventually pulled out of the back seat and taken to the ground before being handcuffed with five deputies around him. Outen is heard saying he cannot breathe, moments before deputies get off of him as he remained handcuffed on the ground.

RCSD said after Outen was in custody, an open liquor bottle and a gun were found in his car. The gun was reportedly discovered in the door panel on the driver’s side.

Footage from the arrest later circulated across social media, with some posts questioning the department’s use of force. RCSD has contested that the video from the show being shared is “only showing a portion of the actual incident.”

RCSD said its professional standards division and training division are reviewing the use of force. Evidence will also be presented in January to the department’s citizen advisory council.

The NAACP said it was also willing to work with authorities on an investigation.

“The NAACP South Carolina State Conference is willing to work with the Sheriff’s Department and other local law enforcement, Governor Henry McMaster, and the federal Department of Justice to ensure the safety of our citizens,” NAACPSC President Brenda Murphy said in a statement.

Outen, meanwhile, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, resisting arrest, third-degree assault, possession of a schedule I narcotic and transporting liquor with a broken seal.

After being booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, he was released on bond.

The arrest was broadcast at the beginning of Saturday’s episode of “On Patrol: Live,” a program airing on Reelz that follows multiple law enforcement agencies across the country. The show is a spiritual successor to A&E’s “Live PD,” which also featured RCSD before its cancellation in 2020.

FULL NAACP STATEMENT

The television show “On Patrol: Live” (OPL) broadcasts arrests as a form of “entertainment” at the expense of possibly jeopardizing an individual’s right to a fair trial.

Recently, OPL filmed officers of the Richland County (SC) Sheriff’s Department subjecting citizens to beatings and tasings. The NAACP-South Carolina State Conference (NAACPSC) strongly urges the citizens of this State to join them in insisting on a full investigation of these incidents. “Public Safety Officers” are expected to abide by certain training and tactics; we are concerned that these Officers be subject to appropriate oversight.

NAACPSC President Brenda Murphy states, “The NAACP South Carolina State Conference is willing to work with the Sheriff’s Department and other local law enforcement, Governor Henry McMaster, and the federal Department of Justice to ensure the safety of our citizens.”

Further, NAACPSC is concerned about the media profiting from the publicization of disturbing and degrading incidents, especially of citizens who all too often have been subject to disrespect. Our position is that no form of media should utilize such video for “entertainment.”

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