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Accused burglars nabbed
6/27/2008 12:06 AM   7 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

By KAREN DAILY

Staff writer

Before a group accused of stealing law equipment and other property from area residents could sell what they had taken and stashed in wooded areas of North Augusta and Clearwater, Aiken County Sheriff's Office investigators threw a monkey wrench into the plans, officials said.

Investigators arrested three men and one woman Wednesday, with the final arrest happening during an undercover operation that evening.

Clayton M. Manor, 23, of the 300 block of Tanglewood Drive in North Augusta, is charged with second-degree burglary and grand larceny.

The suspect tried to sell a stolen golf cart and was nabbed, said Lt. Michael Frank, a spokesperson with the agency.

"When Clayton Manor made arrangements to try to sell a stolen golf cart, we just happened to show up," Frank said of the undercover investigation.

The other suspects were already in police custody.

Michelle D. Buff, 20, of the 800 block of Audubon Circle in Belvedere, is charged with second-degree burglary and grand larceny.

Jesse L. Edminster, 24, of the 500 block of Elton Avenue in North Augusta, is charged with second-degree burglary and grand larceny.

Randall G. Manor, 27, of the 300 block of Tanglewood Drive in North Augusta, is charged with two counts of second-degree burglary and three counts of grand larceny.

Aided by a helicopter from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, investigators found the stolen property hidden in several wooded areas near where the items were taken, Frank said.

Deputies found stolen lawn equipment, golf carts and all-terrain vehicles during the search.

Frank said the equipment was stolen late Tuesday or early Wednesday, and the suspects didn't have the time to get the property from the woods and sell it.

"They were in the process of probably getting ready to try to, but they didn't get around to it," he said.

Deputies first began taking reports early Wednesday morning when a number of residents contacted the sheriff's office about break-ins.

The thieves, in some cases, melted the plastic handles on locked sheds and forced their way inside.

A Dogwood Drive resident called the sheriff's office Wednesday morning when she found a number of items stolen from her shed hidden in a wooded area beside her home. She told investigators she discovered the break-in and then spotted the items nearby.

Investigators then met with a Chestnut Drive resident the same morning and learned that his shed had also been forced open.

Deputies found his stolen property hidden in the woods near the first victim's home, according to reports.

A third victim, also living in the same general area, told deputies two weed trimmers had been stolen from his porch and a lawn mower had been taken from his front yard.

A fourth victim, living on Malone Avenue, reported her four-wheeler stolen from a shed that had also been broken into.

The value of the property taken amounted to several thousand dollars; however, investigators have been able to return all of the property to the owners.

Sheriff Michael Hunt asks that residents look out for their neighbors and not hesitate to call the sheriff's office if they spot someone suspicious or out of place.

Deputies will take information from suspicious persons and keep it on file.

"In the event there is a rash of burglaries or crimes, we have a good place to start," he said.

The suspects are being held at the Aiken County detention center.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.





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  7 comment(s) on this story

Dear Someone Who Knows :  7/9/2008

Thanks for the additional information. Michelle can learn from her mistakes. Hopefully, we'll all see her in church on Sunday.

Aiken Avenger

:  7/6/2008

To Aiken Avenger, I'll tell you how this poor girl got involved with this trio of buffoons. She fancied herself in love with one of them even though her family warned her that he looked like trouble. And she is smiling in her "mugshot" because she did not know how much trouble she was in. She's not perfect and she did make some bad choices, but she IS generally "as fresh and happy as the high school cheerleader next door". At least she was until she got involved with the three stooges. She's a sweet girl who doesn't deserve everyone's snide remarks when you all don't know the whole story. And to Illiterate Megan, how was Clay a saint before her? He was already on probation and his brother and their friend are also involved. Are you saying she influenced all of them into a life of crime?

Someone Who Knows

New Info? Oh, really? :  7/3/2008

There is no new information. It's a MUGSHOT. Same as the others. Gray background. Same lighting. What, you think they all went to Wal-Mart for a photo session?

Aiken Avenger

New Info. :  7/3/2008

Well, new information is available regarding these pictures. Michelle's picture IS NOT a mug shot. So the snotty comments about the fact that she is smiling are way off base. I hope you feel good now for spouting off without full information. Also,to Megan, Who smile is a mug shot???? You need to go back to school because this sentence doesn't make sense and is not a complete sentence. You'd be better off getting an education than spending time worrying about other peoples' business.

Shannon

:  7/3/2008

OH I bet your mothers are really proud of all of you

onthebrightersides

:  7/1/2008

Who smile is a mug shot? I mean does this girl think she is innocent? She stole from people, get a job and work like everyone else. Clayton is no saint but he was before her!

Megan

My Three Stooges by Michelle Buff :  6/27/2008

What a group photo! Michelle looks as fresh and happy as the high school cheerleader next door. She apparently loves to have her picture taken. How did the poor girl get involved with this trio of buffoons? Maybe she can sell her story to a tabloid.

Aiken Avenger
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