Ridge Spring, SC (21 May 2020, 4:00 pm) – On May 21st around 8:30 am, deputies responded to 437 Cobblestone Road after the homeowner reported he fired shots at suspects that were breaking into and stealing his property. As deputies arrived on scene, the homeowner told deputies while he was walking his dog, he saw at least two males and two vehicle on his property. The victim told deputies as he approached the suspects, he yelled and fired his weapon towards them. The suspects ran to their vehicles then drove away through the woods, fleeing from the victim. The suspects ran away on foot after getting one vehicle stuck and the other stalled on Cobblestone Road. Aiken Bloodhound Tracking Team and additional deputies responded to the area to search for the suspects.
Around 9:52 am, Aiken Bloodhound Tracking team located and detained James Franklin Fink Jr, in the swamp adjacent to Whispering Pines Road. Fink was transported to an area hospital for treatment for a gunshot wound to his left hand. Investigators also identified Alister Keith Wingard (32) and Brandon Lee Hall (23) of Batesburg, SC as additional suspects involved in this investigation. Fink was treated and taken to the Aiken County Detention Center where is expected to be charged with Burglary 2nd Degree and Grand Larceny. Investigators are also obtaining warrants on Hall and Wingard, charging them with Burglary 2nd Degree and Grand Larceny.
If anyone has any information on Hall and Wingard, we ask them to contact the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 648-6811. You can provide information anonymously through Midlands Crime Stoppers. Your tip could earn you a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for any crime.
Phone tip-1-888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372)
Web tip- www.midlanscrimestoppers.com and click Submit a Tip.
Mobile tip- Download the new P3 Tips app on your Apple or Android Device
Mobile app-Download Aiken County Sheriff’s Office App on your Apple or Android Device