Alleged Stolen Vehicle Leads to Four Arrests in Lavonia

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Four people are in custody in Franklin County after being caught with a stolen vehicle from South Carolina.

It happened Tuesday morning in Lavonia at the Super 8 Motel, according to Lavonia Assistant Police Chief Matt London.

“We received a call from an insurance company in reference to a stolen vehicle out of Anderson,” London said. “A description was given and officers located the vehicle, a 2004 Honda CRV. Inside, it was occupied by three males and one female.”

London said an investigation found the vehicle was in fact stolen out of Anderson County, SC.

As the investigation continued. London said drugs were also discovered.

“The driver, along with the three passengers were arrested; one for the stolen vehicle and three for multiple narcotics on their person, including methamphetamine, hydrocodone, and marijuana,” said London.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 44-year-old Franklin Thomas Fields of Belton, South Carolina. He is charged with Bringing Stolen Property Into the State and Possession of Methamphetamine.

Three passengers in the vehicle were also arrested.

They are identified as 44-year-old Sonya Elaine Courtney of Anderson, South Carolina; 45-year-old Leon Ouzts of Greenwood, South Carolina; and 34-year-old Timothy Pyle of Greycourt, South Carolina.

Courtney and Ouzts are both charged with Possession of Schedule Two Narcotics and Possession of Methamphetamine. Ouzts is also charged with Possession of Drug Related Objects.

Pyle is charged with Possession of Drug Related Objects and Possession of Marijuana Less Than One Ounce.

Meanwhile, the owner of the stolen SUV is identified as Tanya Mills-Shore of Anderson.

She said the person who took her car was a friend she was trying to help.

Mills-Shore also said the suspect took her car to get away from drug dealers she claims he owed money to.