Update: Police release more details on man charged with burglary incidents, suspect tried to run

Surfside Beach Police Chief, Rodney Keziah said collaboration among area law enforcement agencies helped lead to the arrest of a man who authorities said is responsible for a rash of burglaries and who tried to outrun police.

Allen Loring Atkins, Jr., 41, of Surfside Beach, is charged with 13 counts of first-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, reckless driving, failure to stop for blue light and siren, and driving under suspension, police said.

Keziah said in a release that about 4:30 a.m. on Aug. 9, a Surfside Beach police officer operating on a burglary task force encountered a suspicious vehicle in the area of Cedar Drive South, and the vehicle tried to flee when the officer attempted to stop it.

A car chase ensued between Atkins and the officer, and Horry County police, South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers, and Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office deputies helped the Surfside Beach officer in the pursuit.

Atkins was caught and arrested after a brief struggle with police, Keziah said.

“This is another prime example of old-fashioned police work and law enforcement agencies working together. Officers being observant while on patrol and the information-sharing and cooperation with other jurisdictions brought an abrupt end to this crime spree,” Keziah said in the release.

Authorities said they found items in Atkins’ car during the arrest, tying him to the burglary incidents.

The burglaries occurred from May 27 through Aug. 7 in the Surfside Beach and Garden City Beach areas, and jewelry, coins, electronics and tools valued at more than $5,000 in total were stolen from multiple residences, authorities said.

Many of the burglaries occurred in vacation or second homes when the residents were away, according to police reports. Several reports show the suspect entered the homes by breaking locks on back or side doors, though some front door locks were also pried open.

Atkins is currently being held on $21,097 bond at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, according to jail records.

This story was originally published August 12, 2015 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Update: Police release more details on man charged with burglary incidents, suspect tried to run."