Seven juveniles and an 18-year-old arrested for car burglary, prowling, resisting arrest

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Omarein Tyrek Lassiter, 18, was arrested along with seven juveniles who were all found prowling in the parking lots of several apartments complexes off Tower Road early Monday morning.

At about 2:30 a.m. on March 28, a call was received about multiple juveniles wearing black hoodies and ski masks and attempting to burglarize vehicles. Lassiter was located walking near the back of The Gardens apartment complex wearing a black jacket, black hoodie, and black ski mask.

According to the responding deputy, Lassiter, who lives in Newberry, could not give a valid reason for being at the apartment complex in the middle of the night. The deputy also reported that he saw a bulge in Lassiter’s jacket pocket, which turned out to be a glass cologne bottle, still in its original box.

Deputies who had responded to the Hampton Forest complex, next to The Gardens, found four juvenile males who had allegedly been walking through The Gardens with Lassiter before fleeing to the neighboring complex.

While still working at Hampton Forest, deputies heard car alarms at the nearby Reflections apartment complex. Three juvenile males were found running into The Gardens, and all three were detained.

Lassiter has been charged with loitering or prowling and burglary of an unoccupied vehicle. The juveniles were charged with loitering or prowling, burglary of an unoccupied vehicle, and resisting arrest without violence. Lassiter was released on his own recognizance with a requirement to have no contact with the other defendants and a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.