Police

GEORGETOWN

Police seek answers after body discovered

A body found in Georgetown Thursday morning prompted police to launch a homicide investigation.

Alfonso Terrell Thomas, 25, of Georgetown was found dead in a wooded lot of Legion Street, said Georgetown Coroner Kenny Johnson.

Johnson said the injury that caused his death was not obvious, and the autopsy will be performed Friday morning at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Thomas’ body was found on a path between Legion Street and Church Street, said Capt. Nelson Brown, spokesman for Georgetown police.

Brown asked anyone with information to call Georgetown police at 545-4300 or 545-4400.

GRAND STRAND

HEAT campaign winding down

The 100 Days of Summer HEAT campaign is ending and the S.C. Department of Public Safety said that means more officers are likely to be on the highways.

Troopers with the S.C. Highway Patrol will be focusing on interstate travel starting Friday with drivers headed out to enjoy the final summer holiday and the State Transport Police will focus on commercial motor vehicle safety and compliance, the DPS said.

Last summer, seven people died in 102 hours of Labor Day weekend, according to the DPS.

HEAT stands for Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic and the campaign is meant to encourage safe driving. Troopers have been focusing on typical violations for the summer, including speeding, DUI and not wearing safety belts.

SCDPS Director Leroy Smith said, “South Carolina has had 33 fewer fatalities this summer than last,” said Leroy Smith, DPS director. “We want to thank the public for heeding our safety messages and encourage their continued participation through *HP and practicing safe driving habits themselves. Law enforcement can’t do it alone. It is everyone’s job to keep our roadways safe.”

As of Aug. 29, there had been 523 fatalities this year compared to 542 last year.

MYRTLE BEACH

Cell phone, clothing stolen from motel

Police responded to a burglary Wednesday night at a Myrtle Beach motel, according to a report from the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

Two victims who were staying at the Driftwood Motel on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach told police that they left their room around 7:30 p.m. and returned at 10:30 p.m., the report said. The victims said they noticed items were missing from the room, and the first victim said the wooden bar used to secure the sliding balcony door was not in place. The victims could not remember if they had secured the door with the bar.

Missing items included a Samsung Galaxy cell phone, two cell phone chargers, a Dell Inspiron laptop and assorted clothing, including a Hollister T-shirt, the report said. Two handprints were found on the balcony, which gave the appearance someone had climbed up the balcony and entered through the sliding door.

MYRTLE BEACH

Game systems, laptops and gun stolen

Police responded to a burglary at a residence on Wild Iris Drive in Myrtle Beach Wednesday evening, according to a report from the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

The victim said she and her roommates returned to the residence around 7:15 p.m., the report said. She said when she entered, she discovered her kitchen window had been pushed in and items had been displaced.

An Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were missing, along with three laptops, $80, a suitcase and a pistol, the report said. The victim found the pistol in the bushes directly behind the house.

CONWAY

Road blocked by tree for hours

Laurel Street was blocked for hours in Conway between Seventh and Ninth avenues on Thursday, according to Catina Hipp, spokeswoman for Conway police.

The road was closed at about 11:30 a.m. by the tree covering the roadway. Police initially thought the roadway would only be closed for about an hour. Laurel Street didn’t reopen until about 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

HORRY COUNTY

Passenger safe after boat capsizes

A boat capsized Thursday morning in Hogs Inlet outside North Myrtle Beach city limits, according to a news release from Pat Dowling, public information officer for the city.

Only one person was onboard the approximately 14-foot flat-bottomed boat. He was seen holding onto one side of the boat and was picked up unharmed by another boat in the inlet.

City of North Myrtle Beach lifeguards, stationed at the city’s lifeguard stand near the inlet, swam out to participate in the rescue and were brought back to shore via the city’s jet skis.

From staff reports