Two, including 14-year-old, charged in string of Sumter vehicle break-ins, third suspect at large

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Local authorities have charged two people and are searching for a third suspect as officers investigate a series of vehicle break-ins in the city and county.

Currently charged are a 14-year-old male and 28-year-old Jessica Harris, who also goes by the last name Pendergrass, of Plowden Mill Road in Sumter. The 14-year-old’s name has not been released because he is a minor.

Harris was arrested on Thursday and is being held at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

Both suspects face 18 counts of breaking and entering a vehicle, states a news release from Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

The juvenile admitted to authorities that he was involved in some of the break-ins and implicated Harris and a third suspect who is still at large.

Warrants have been issued for Coby Fields, 17, of Summerville, said Ken Bell, public information officer for the sheriff’s office.

According to reports, Harris dropped the co-defendants off and picked them up after they had broken into numerous vehicles, he said.

Harris and the juvenile have admitted to six vehicle break-ins in Dalzell, two in the Kel-Sam Farms neighborhood, three on Brogdon Circle, two in the Mooneyham Road area, two on Acres Avenue, two on Plowden Mill Road, one on Nottingham Drive, one on Belk Street and one on Tulip Street, according to the release.

Approximately $2,000 in various items have been recovered and most of the property has been identified by the reported victims, Bell said.

Sumter Police Department is also investigating a number of vehicle break-ins in the Rolling Creek area, he said, and more arrests are expected.

Anyone with information about vehicle break-ins in the city and county should call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC. Tips can be given anonymously, and a cash reward may be available.