Charleston, South Carolina – Charleston police have taken a suspect into custody after a string of vehicle break-ins unsettled residents in the West Ashley area earlier this month.
The investigation began during the overnight hours of March 12, 2026, when a caller alerted the Charleston Police Department to suspicious activity along Parkwood Estates Drive. According to the report, two individuals were seen moving from car to car, pulling on door handles in what appeared to be an attempt to find unlocked vehicles.
When officers arrived in the area, one responding officer spotted the two suspects standing in a driveway on nearby Canterbury Road, which runs parallel to Parkwood Estates Drive. As soon as the pair noticed the patrol car, they immediately fled the scene, prompting officers to begin a search of the surrounding area.
Check also: Community tips lead to Charleston arrest in suspected drug distribution case
To assist with the effort, a K9 unit was deployed. K9 Jersey and the handler tracked the suspects’ path and eventually located one individual hiding in a wooded area behind 1235 Savannah Highway. During the search, the K9 also recovered property that had been taken from a vehicle on Canterbury Road where officers had first encountered the suspects.
Following the investigation, police arrested 29-year-old Shaoquna Rishen Williams of Charleston. Authorities charged Williams with three counts of breaking into a motor vehicle along with a property crime enhancement.
Police also noted that at the time of the incident, Williams had already been out on bond related to earlier charges involving tampering with a vehicle and trespassing that were filed in February.
The case serves as a reminder for residents to take basic precautions. Investigators urge drivers to lock their vehicles, avoid leaving valuables inside, and stay alert to suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. They also encourage community members to look out for one another and report unusual behavior to help prevent similar incidents from occurring.
