Two Men Facing Burglary Charges In Lancaster County

LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. — Two men are facing charges stemming from several business burglaries that happened in Lancaster County.

John Bush, 20, and Demarkeyo McClinton, 21, were arrested in April.  Investigators say they committed several burglaries on SC Highway 9 By-Pass and in Indian Land between December 2016 and April 2017.

The alleged incidents occurred at The Meat Center on December 23rd, December 24th, March 12th, March 22nd, April 22nd, April 26th, and April 28th.  Officials say entry was made or attempted by using a pry bar to force open doors, a sledge hammer to break glass, and bolt cutters to cut a lock.

During the final incident, the burglar pulled plywood away from a window which had been broken two nights before, according to a news release.

Investigators say video surveillance footage was available for all the incidents and provided valuable images of the suspects, their clothing, and the tools they used.

The men are also accused of breaking into a Lowe’s on March 22nd. Video footage showed images consistent with those from The Meat Center, according to a news release.

La Chalupa was then burglarized on April 6, according to investigators.

Investigators of the Lancaster Police Department were working similar cases in the city. Investigators from the two agencies worked together. Bush was identified from video surveillance as a suspect in a city burglary. The police department obtained a warrant for his arrest. Sheriff’s investigators obtained a search warrant for his home in the county. Police and sheriff’s officers and investigators went to the home on April 19th and arrested Bush and searched the home and a car in the yard. Evidence believed to be related to several crimes was seized.

McClinton was subsequently identified as a second suspect in several incidents.

Bush is charged with Burglary Second Degree and Attempted Burglary Second Degree for the incidents at The Meat Center on December 24 and March 22, the incident at Lowe’s on March 22, and the incident at La Chalupa on April 6. McClinton is charged with Burglary Second Degree and Attempted Burglary Second Degree for all the incidents described above except the burglary at La Chalupa, with which he has not been charged. Both men are also charged by the Lancaster Police Department with other crimes that occurred in the City of Lancaster. Both remain in the Lancaster County Detention Center after bonds were denied by the magistrate and a city judge.

Anyone with information about this or any other case should call the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office at 803-283- 3388 or Crimestoppers at 888-CRIME- SC (888-274-6372).