Arrest tally grows to 9 in car-theft, chop-shop ring

Three more arrests were made earlier this week in a string of burglaries and car thefts, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to nine.

Chad Dale Martin, Jr., of Simpsonville, Casey Brooke Misolek, of Fountain Inn, and William Elbert Blackwell, Jr., of Fountain Inn, were arrested earlier this week as the investigation by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office continued. All three remained in the Johnson Detention Center as of Thursday.

Blackwell is charged with three counts of possession/receiving stolen good and operating a chop shop.

Martin is charged with three counts of possession/receiving stolen goods with a value of $10,000 or more.

Milosek faces drug-possession, possession/receiving stolen goods, conspiracy and obstructing justice charges.

Michael Alan Ford, of Fountain Inn, Jerry Wayne “J.R.” Johnson, Jr., of Gray Court, Robert Paul Maes, of Laurens, and Ricky Jay “R.J.” Owens, Jr. were arrested this past weekend along with two 16-year-old juveniles and face similar charges.

The LCSO has also recovered a half-dozen stolen vehicles, all from the Simpsonville area.

LCSO Chief Deputy Jarvis Reeder said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests could be made.

Anyone with information is asked to contact law enforcement at 68-CRIME.