Auto Breaking Ring busted in Pickens Co.

A man is behind bars and another suspect remains on the loose in connection with a string of automobile break-ins in Pickens County. In April, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation after homeowners reported that their vehicles had been broken into during the night while they were asleep. Thefts occurred between April 7 and May 7, 2015. The investigation identified two Easley men as the individuals responsible for these incidents resulting in 16 cases of vehicles being broken into followed by numerous thefts. Stolen items included seven handguns, a rifle, sunglasses, electronic items and pocketbooks. The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office reports that 58 criminal charges await the two men responsible. On June 26, deputies arrested 22-year-old Joshua Luke Pinyon at a residence in Easley without incident. He remains at the Pickens County Detention Facility with bond set at $89,000. The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office seeks 28-year-old Brandon Scott Creel. He is described as a white male, approximately 5’11” and 160lbs. Anyone with information on his location should call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-Crime-SC.