Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Central, SC Man on Multiple Charges, Including First Degree Burglary

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Central, SC man yesterday on multiple charges, including a charge of First Degree Burglary.

35 year old Blake Marvin Johnson of Maw Bridge Road was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 2:27pm. Johnson has also been charged with one count each of Petit Larceny and Possession of Tools Capable of Being Used in a Crime.

A deputy from the Uniform Patrol Division responded yesterday morning to an address on Clemson Boulevard near Seneca, which is a construction site at Hartwell Village, in reference to a burglary. The deputy met with the victim, who is an employee of the construction company, in regards to a break-in of an on-site office. As the investigation continued, it was discovered that items were taken from the on-site office as well.

Late yesterday morning, a deputy on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Highlands Highway near Mountain Rest that matched a description of the suspect vehicle in the burglary investigation. The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle for a traffic violation on Highlands Highway just before Whetstone Road. The occupants of the vehicle were a female driver and a male passenger, identified as Johnson.

As the traffic stop continued, a Patrol deputy observed a computer monitor in the vehicle. Based upon the evidence that had been gathered, deputies conducted a search of the vehicle, where other items that were taken in the burglary were discovered. After a consultation between Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division and a judge, Johnson was placed under arrest and transported to the Oconee County Detention Center.

A warning citation for an improper, obstructed vehicle tag was issued to the driver and she was released. The vehicle was towed away from the scene of the traffic stop.

According to arrest warrants, Johnson broke into the building belonging to the construction company at night. Johnson also has two or more prior convictions for burglary. Johnson is also accused of taking a computer monitor and tools that belonged to the construction company.

At this time, Johnson remains in custody at the Oconee County Detention Center on a combined $85,000 surety bond.