Man wanted by authorities in two jurisdictions

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Summerville, SC man yesterday on charges of Criminal Conspiracy and Identity Fraud.

53 year old Rickey Wayne Vinson of Crestview Drive was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 2:22pm Monday on a Temporary Custody Order until investigators obtained arrest warrants today. A hold has been placed on Vinson by the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office for Grand Larceny charges.

Captain Greg Reed of the Criminal Investigations Division received information that an individual in the Seneca area was attempting to sell an excavator at a substantial discount. The excavator was posted on Craigslist.

Investigators made contact with the seller of the equipment, who was later identified as Vinson, at an address on Tokeena Road. The investigators were able to verify that the excavator was a rental from Myrtle Beach, SC. Investigators were also able to determine that the trailer used to transport the excavator was stolen.

Vinson also gave investigators a false name as well as conflicting accounts concerning the equipment he was trying to sell. Investigators were able to identify Vinson, whereupon he was placed under arrest. All vehicles and equipment were removed from the scene.

“With the recovery efforts continuing from last week’s tornado and with individuals seeking to defraud others, we advise citizens to use extreme caution with the purchase of heavy equipment,” says Captain Reed. “A good rule of thumb is that if an offer sounds too good to be true, more often than not it is. While there are private sellers who have good intentions in the selling of this type of equipment, it is important to verify that the equipment is not stolen or is rental equipment that someone cannot sell, such as in this case. You may want to contact law enforcement so all serial and/or VIN numbers can be verified and cleared before the purchase is made.”

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