CLEMSON, S.C. (WSPA) — The Clemson Police Department is warning about a string of moped thefts that have taken place in the city since August.
“In the past couple months, it’s probably been between 20 and 30 mopeds stolen,” Detective John Brown said.
According to police, most of the stolen mopeds were left unlocked. Brown said many were stolen from student apartment complexes and downtown Clemson during the day and night.
โIf itโs not locked up, they can just break the steering column or punch the keyhole,” Brown said. “If people have been doing this for a while and they know how to steal it, it doesn’t take long. Itโs a matter of seconds. The most it may take is five minutes.”
Police are working to identify who is responsible for the thefts. Brown said it can be difficult to find stolen bikes.
Brown said that though police try to fins the thieves using the Flock license plate reading software, thieves will change the tag or remove it entirely.
โOnce they are stolen, sometimes we don’t know which way they go,” Brown added. “We don’t know if they go to Anderson or Greenville. They may even go to Georgia.”
According to Chief Jorge Campos, Dakota Shane Smith was identified and charged with petit larceny in connection with the investigation. He has not been arrested and is currently wanted. Campos said “he is not the only suspect.”
The police department is asking the public to help identify the man below, who was caught on surveillance camera riding a moped on College Avenue in downtown Clemson.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Clemson Police Department at 864-624-2014.
