Police Reports: Man Faces Animal Abuse Charges

These items were selected from several hundred Mount Pleasant Police Reports filed in recent days.

All charges are pending and accused parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Man Cited for Mistreating Animals

A Mount Pleasant man was cited by police for mistreating a pit bull police found roaming the streets.

Police responded on Sept. 18 to reports of a bleeding dog on Long Point Road. When they arrived, they found two animals roaming, one with a “very deep wound” around its neck that was apparently infected.

James Ward Jr., 38, was given two citations for allowing two of his dogs to run freely and another citation for mistreating an animal.

He told police and a veterinarian that he wanted them back. Police said that wasn’t possible since at least one of the dogs appeared to be in very bad condition. Ward reportedly told police that he had paid more than $1,000 fines relating to the animals escaping his Evelina Street yard.

Police referred the case to Animal Control, since Ward reportedly still had three more dogs at home. He faces a municipal court date.

Theft at a Wedding

A wedding is just about the last place you think someone might walk off with your purse, but that’s what police believe happened on Sept. 17.

Sarah Jayne Sharkey, 32, of Mount Pleasant faces criminal petit larceny charges after the incident. Police say she strolled into the The Lighthouse, a Shem Creek venue popular for weddings and other receptions, and tried to walk off with an expensive purse and designer sunglasses.

A Lighthouse employee spotted Sharkey allegedly walking into the wedding reception, mingle with the guests and then grab a purse and head for the bathroom, according to a police report.

The employee waited for Sharkey outside the bathroom and then a guest at the wedding held the woman until police got there. Sharkey reportedly said she simply thought the purse belonged to her, but guests held her to the ground until officers arrived.

Police recovered the $500 Coach purse and two pairs of expensive sunglasses from Sharkey. She was arrested and taken to the Charleston County Jail.

Counterfeit Bills Floated

Police responded to three incidents of counterfeit money within three days, according to reports.

The first occurred Sept. 14 at the Exxon gas station on Long Point Road. The second occurred on Sept. 15 at Sonic on the same street. And the third occurred on Sept. 16 at the Pizza Hut on Belle Point Drive.

Reports indicate the suspects were young males who may have been driving a brown Chevy Blazer. The suspects passed $5, $10 and $20 bills, according to reports.

Girls Cited for Backseat Bar

Four 17-year-old James Island High School students were cited on Sept. 16 for underage drinking. That’s after Mount Pleasant Police spotted “multiple bottles of alcohol” in plain view in a vehicle parked near Wando High School.

Officers spotted the vehicle early in the evening but waited for its occupants to return. When the young women hopped into the Honda Civic, officers moved in.

Some of the women also had fake IDs, a small amount marijuana, a water bottle of vodka and tobacco that was not legally purchased. They were released into the custody of their parents and face later court dates.