4th of July slow-speed car chase ends with K-9 search in Hilton Head gated community

Two shoplifters led police on a low-speed, 10 to 15 mph car chase to Palmetto Dunes on July 4, where one ran off on foot, prompting a short K-9 search in the Hilton Head gated community. The event concluded with two arrests, according to sheriff’s office spokesperson Master Sgt. Danny Allen.

The Savannah residents shoplifted from Belk, a department store in Shelter Cove Towne Center and parked the car in front of St. Andrews Commons after the chase. That Palmetto Dunes complex is less than a mile away and across the street from Belk. From there, the passenger stayed in the car. The driver abandoned the car, ran off and hid in a bush. After a few minutes of searching a K-9 patrol located the suspect. According to Allen, there were no injuries from the use of the canine to either suspect.

The driver, Wayne Hiriams, 33, faces charges of shoplifting, criminal conspiracy, fleeing to evade/arrest and failure to stop for a blue light. Hiriam also has a warrant for breaking his probation from Georgia.

The passenger, Sharontay Rice, 24, faces charges of littering, shoplifting and criminal conspiracy. The two stole less than $2,000 in clothing from the department store, Allen said.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received a report of shoplifters at the Belk store, off William Hilton Parkway, around 4 p.m. A nearby officer responded to the call and began to pursue the shoplifter’s black Toyota Camry as it left the shopping center.