(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Decatur, GA man yesterday on a drug trafficking charge after discovering over one pound of Methamphetamine inside of a sedan.
37 year old David Deandre Lowe, of Candler Road, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center at around 3:20pm yesterday on a Temporary Custody Order until arrest warrants were obtained today. A hold was also placed on Lowe by the Fulton County (GA) Sheriff’s Office.
A Deputy from the Uniform Patrol Bureau responded to a business address on E. Fairplay Boulevard in Fair Play late yesterday morning to meet with a complainant regarding a stolen Kubota KX040-4 excavator that was taken from a job site Dekalb County, GA, which is in the Atlanta metro area. The victim had filed a report with law enforcement in that jurisdiction.
After arriving on scene, the Deputy discovered the excavator being unloaded from a tow truck with a man, identified as Lowe, sitting on the Excavator. The Deputy also discovered another man on scene as well as a woman inside of a Hyundai sedan which was in the parking lot.
Lowe began walking towards the Hyundai after telling the Deputy that his identification was inside of the vehicle. As the investigation continued, Lowe attempted to run away from the Deputy towards the business at the incident location but the Deputy was able to take him into custody.
A second Uniform Patrol Bureau Deputy, and Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Bureau, arrived on scene. Deputies detected an odor of Marijuana from inside of the Hyundai and were notified of Marijuana inside of the vehicle as well.
A search of the vehicle was conducted, which produced a quantity of Marijuana inside the female’s purse. Deputies also discovered an additional quantity of Marijuana inside of the vehicle along with a quantity of Methamphetamine and a handgun inside of the sedan.
Narcotics Agents from the Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene to continue the investigation into the Narcotics and the handgun discovered while Investigators continued the property crimes side of the Investigation.
The female, from Stone Mountain, GA, was released from the scene after being issued a citation for Simple Possession of Marijuana. The second male was also released from the scene as Lowe was transported to the Oconee County Detention Center.
The recovered Excavator was turned over to the owner while the Hyundai was towed away from the scene. According to an Investigator, the Excavator was valued at approximately $60,000.
Based upon evidence obtained during the investigation, Lowe has been charged with one count of Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Receiving Stolen Goods, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Violent Crime.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation. At this time, Lowe remains in jail pending a bond hearing.