Multiple people charged, $130K in stolen items recovered in Berkeley County ‘chop shops’ bust
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — Multiple people are facing charges in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged chop shops operating in Berkeley County, authorities said Friday.
The investigation, which began in May after several thefts were reported in the Ridgeville and Lebanon areas, led deputies to two properties where approximately $130,000 in stolen vehicles and equipment were found, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
The following individuals were charged as part of the investigation:
- Hunter Driggers-Moore – Possession of Stolen Vehicles
- James Threatt – Receiving Stolen Goods
- Daniel Threatt – Receiving Stolen Goods
- Bradley Billham – Possession of Stolen Vehicles
- Timmy Lee Condrey – Trafficking Methamphetamine, Trafficking Fentanyl, nine counts of Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, two counts of Receiving Stolen Goods over $10,000, Operation of a Chop Shop, and Possession of Vehicle with a Tampered VIN
- Fred Jimmy Condrey – Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana
- Michelle Elizabeth Condrey – Possession of Fentanyl
- Joseph Edward Bryan – Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
- Colleen Elizabeth Reese – Possession of Fentanyl
Authorities said deputies responded to a call on May 21 from a victim who saw his stolen dump truck being driven in Moncks Corner. He followed it to a residence on Horseshoe Drive, where the driver, later identified as Driggers-Moore, fled the scene.
Deputies executed a search warrant at the home and found the stolen truck, a Honda motorcycle, and a U-Haul trailer. Two residents, James and Daniel Threatt, were arrested on site. Driggers-Moore was taken into custody the following day.
Billham was arrested May 23 at his residence on Farrell Street, where deputies discovered another motorcycle with a tampered ignition. A subsequent search warrant recovered a stolen motorcycle and yielded evidence of an “active motorcycle chop shop,” according to authorities.
A chop shop is where parts are stripped from stolen items — often vehicles — to be resold.
The investigation continued, and deputies executed a third search warrant on June 4 at a Destiny Lane property in Cross. There, deputies recovered a Takeuchi skid steer, a Kubota side-by-side, and other “heavily altered” items believed to be stolen.
Authorities said an additional search warrant resulted in the seizure of thousands of dollars in cash, 11 firearms, approximately 363 grams of Methamphetamine, approximately 245 grams of Marijuana, and approximately 14 grams of Fentanyl.
“This is a great example of teamwork between our investigative units,” said Sheriff Duane Lewis. “Thanks to solid detective work and community involvement, we shut down two chop shops and recovered valuable stolen property that might have otherwise been lost.”
The sheriff’s office said they are still searching for another man, Jack Ronald Turner III, who is wanted on theft-related charges.
The investigation remains ongoing.
