SC Volunteer Firefighters Accused in Theft Ring

Posted by: Curt Varone January 23, 2011 0

Two volunteer firefighters from the Ridgeville Volunteer Fire Department, in Dorchester County, South Carolina, have been arrested in Orangeburg County in connection with the theft of nearly $40,000 worth of copper wire.

Firefighters Jeffrey McQueen Riley, Jr., 21, and Johnathon Ryan Carter, 24, along with 17 year old Daniel Addison Carter, 17, allegedly used the Ridgeville Fire Department’s bolt cutters to break through security fences to access the wire at three electric company locations. All three men have been charged with grand larceny and criminal conspiracy.

As the news clip explains, alert citizens led to the trio’s arrest. Based on tips called into police, a patrol car spotted Riley’s vehicle leaving the scene of a theft. The trio promptly abandoned the vehicle and made their escape on foot. Riley then attempted to report his vehicle stolen.  He was also charged with making a false police report.

Riley and Johnathon Carter have been dismissed from the fire department.

 

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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