Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Seneca Man and Walhalla Woman on Multiple Charges Related to Burglary Investigation

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Seneca man and Walhalla woman late last week on multiple charges related to a West Union area burglary investigation.

38 year old James Harold Ramey of Chambers Hill Drive was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 3:45pm Friday. Ramey has been charged with First Degree Burglary, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Grand Larceny and Malicious Injury to Personal Property. At this time, Ramey remains in custody at the Oconee County Detention Center on a combined $102,125 surety bond.

47 year old Laura Michelle McAlister of Lusk Road was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 4:21pm Friday. McAlister has been charged with one count each of First Degree Burglary and Grand Larceny. At this time, McAlister remains in custody at the Oconee County Detention Center on a combined $55,000 surety bond.

A deputy from the Uniform Patrol Division responded to the area of Cranes Crossing Drive off of Burnt Tanyard Road in West Union due to reports of a suspicious vehicle, which was a silver in color Nissan Pathfinder. Dispatch notified the deputy that the subjects in the vehicle were seen coming out of a residence carrying items. After arriving at the incident location, the deputy received word that the vehicle in question was seen traveling down Ebenezer Road.

Additional Uniform Patrol deputies and investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division assisted the responding deputy in his search for the vehicle in question. Deputies were later able to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle in the area of Fairview Church Road. The driver of the vehicle, identified as McAlister, gave deputies consent to search her vehicle. The male subject, identified as Ramey, was located walking on Fairview Church Road.

Based upon evidence that was gathered during the investigation, it was determined that McAlister and Ramey did not have permission to be at the residence in question. The investigation also revealed that several items were taken out of the residence.

The items that were taken from the residence were located at an address on Fairview Church Road near S. Crooked Creek Road. Those items, which included firearms, were recovered and returned to the rightful owners.

The location of the burglary was in the 800 block of Big Brown Drive in West Union. During the process of gathering evidence from the scene, deputies observed damage to a door of the residence.

According to arrest warrants that were obtained as a result of the investigation, McAlister and Ramey are charged with breaking into the residence on Big Brown Drive and stealing items from the residence, which included multiple firearms. Ramey is also a convicted felon and is prohibited from possession a firearm. Ramey is also accused of causing damage to a door of the residence in order to gain access.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.