BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) on Thursday announced the arrest of two people accused of operating a “chop-shop” and distributing drugs in Cross.
A chop-shop is where parts are stripped from stolen items — often vehicles — to be resold.
According to BCSO, detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on the 400 block of Olympic Drive and found:
- Stolen handguns
- Stolen lawn care equipment
- Three stolen motorcycles
- A stolen stripped-down Honda Civic
- Numerous trailers with the a missing/altered VIN number
- A dirt bike with a missing/altered VIN number
- Two four-wheelers with missing/altered VIN numbers
- Methamphetamine
- Fentanyl
- Marijuana
Ralph McClenney (39) and Ruth McAdams (40) were arrested.
McClenney was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent crime, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of marijuana second offense, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime (x4), possession of a stolen motor vehicle (x4), receiving/possessing stolen property (x2), and operating a chop-shop.
McAdams was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime (x4), possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, false information to police, possession of a firearm by a fugitive. McAdams was wanted by SC Probation and Parole.
