Police arrest man in connection with mo-ped theft, but looking for suspects involved in other mo-ped larcenies
A man was arrested Thursday in connection with one theft after multiple mo-ped larcenies occurred Wednesday.
Police were still investigating two other mo-ped theft incidents from Wednesday on Friday morning.
Rodney Wayne Rowan, 32, was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, according to jail records, and details of the arrest were not available.
Officers were called about the mo-ped theft, which police said involved Rowan, on Wednesday about noon to a hotel at 1501 S. Ocean Blvd. where two 18-year-old men told police two mo-peds they rented were taken from the parking lot, authorities said.
The victims told police they parked the two blue, VIP Future Champion mo-peds about 5 a.m. Wednesday, and the mo-peds were gone by about 11:45 a.m. later that day.
It was unknown Friday morning whether the mo-peds had been recovered.
Police responded to multiple calls involving mo-ped thefts in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday, and Rowan was the second man arrested in connection with a rash of mo-ped thefts that appear unrelated.
Jesse Allen Smith was charged Wednesday with petit larceny in connection with a mo-ped theft, possession of burglary tools, and driving under a suspended license, according to jail records.
Officers were called about the incident they said involved Smith about 5 p.m. Wednesday to a business on the 900 block of North Ocean Boulevard, police said.
Police stopped Smith after bystanders reported they saw him take a mo-ped. Smith told police he was given permission to use the mo-ped, but the 22-year-old woman who owned it said he was not, according to a police report.
Authorities were also called about two other incidents involving mo-ped thefts Wednesday afternoon and were still investigating those incidents Friday morning.
Contact ELIZABETH TOWNSEND at 626-0217 or on Twitter @TSN_etownsend.
This story was originally published June 12, 2015 at 10:16 AM with the headline "Police arrest man in connection with mo-ped theft, but looking for suspects involved in other mo-ped larcenies."