News Summary
William Hurt, a 28-year-old man, has been arrested in Aiken for running an illegal chop shop where multiple high-end stolen Dodge Chargers were recovered. The ongoing investigation began after leads from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and coincides with severe weather conditions impacting South Carolina. Authorities are looking into the extent of the chop shop’s operations and potential additional suspects. Meanwhile, the region has been dealing with significant rainfall and tornado activity, prompting emergency responses.
Aiken – A 28-year-old man named William Hurt has been arrested and charged with operating a chop shop after investigators recovered multiple high-end stolen Dodge Chargers and various car parts from the illegal operation. The investigation was initiated following information from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office regarding a stolen vehicle originating from Georgia, leading to a breakthrough on August 11 when authorities discovered the chop shop located on the 900 block of Dougherty Road in Aiken.
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) is actively investigating the case further to uncover the extent of the chop shop’s operations and any potential additional individuals involved in the illegal car thefts. While specifics about how many vehicles were stolen were not disclosed, the presence of high-end cars suggests a significant operation.
Severe Weather Conditions
This investigation coincides with severe weather conditions that have plagued South Carolina, including Aiken County, from August 11 to August 14. On August 13, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued an updated weather alert forecasting strong thunderstorms with wind gusts of up to 50 mph across Edgefield, Saluda, Lexington, and Aiken counties. The alert indicated that gusty winds were likely to knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Thunderstorms were particularly severe near Aiken Municipal Airport, with conditions expected to persist until 11:45 p.m.
Residents were cautioned to stay indoors and avoid driving through flooded roadways amid the heavy rainfall, which has resulted in localized flooding. The NWS warned that the storms could lead to hydroplaning—a dangerous situation where vehicles slide uncontrollably over wet roads due to water building up beneath tires.
Impact of Rainfall
From August 11 to August 14, South Carolina experienced significant rainfall, with Columbia Metropolitan Airport recording 2.86 inches on August 14 alone. Radar estimates indicated that over half of the state received between 2 to 4 inches, while some areas reported accumulations of up to 10 inches. This drastic weather follows a period of severe drought affecting over 87% of South Carolina, potentially alleviating some drought conditions.
Tornado Activity and Emergency Responses
A tornado rated EF1 with winds reaching 90 mph occurred in Aiken County on August 14. Tornado warnings and watches were issued for regions within Richmond and Aiken counties during the storm activity. Additionally, a state of emergency was declared in Georgia on August 12 as severe storms impacted the area. Preparedness measures were taken, including safety alerts for the public to ensure protection from the storms’ effects.
As weather conditions continue to evolve, monitoring and responses are being re-evaluated. Georgia Power reported minimal outages, confirming only six incidents as of early morning on August 14, while state officials, including Governor Brian Kemp, expressed support for those impacted by the severe weather and outlined state efforts to address the situation.
Conclusion
Authorities will continue to investigate William Hurt’s chop shop operation while also managing the ongoing response to the severe weather affecting the region. Residents are advised to stay informed of weather alerts and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety amidst such unpredictable weather patterns.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet
- Fox Weather
- WLTX
- Wikipedia: Weather in South Carolina
- Google News: South Carolina severe weather
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
