On 3-11-16, deputies responded to 1605 Goodjoin Rd in Campobello in reference to a stolen race car frame (16030543). Included on the car at the time of theft was a gauge cluster.
Several days later, deputies responded to 298 Brass Rail Rd in Inman in reference to a larceny in progress (16030652). As Deputies were responding they were updated with information that the victim had observed someone stealing his enclosed trailer containing tools, and the victim was currently pursuing the suspect vehicle. During the pursuit, the suspects in the truck fired multiple shots at the victim. Deputies caught up to the pursuit at which time the suspect vehicle drove through a field. Additional units arrived on scene due to the severity of the situation. A K-9 track resulted in the arrests of Austin Turner and Kenneth McDowell in the vicinity. They were charged with Grand Larceny of the trailer at that time. Only a BB gun was located in the truck so at that time there was not enough evidence to make charges in reference to the shots being fired. The trailer and tools were recovered that night.
On 3-16-16, Investigators Phillip Wilkie and Zac Featherston interviewed Turner and McDowell in reference to this case. During that interview, they both implicated a third person, Gabriel Barnette in the theft of the trailer. After the interviews, the detectives were able to locate Barnette at 2555 Mt. Lebanon Rd. in Campobello. While speaking to Barnette, he admitted to being the driver of the suspect vehicle when the trailer was stolen and also admitted to firing a 9mm pistol while being pursued by the victim. That gun was later recovered by detectives. While at the Mt. Lebanon Rd address, Det. Wilkie observed a gauge cluster that he believed may have been part of the stolen race car frame, a case that he was currently investigating. Barnette was then questioned about the theft of that race car frame from Goodjoin Rd. He confessed to stealing it and was able to provide detectives information that allowed them to recover the frame. The investigation into the stolen race car frame is continuing with more possible charges pending.
At this time the following warrants have been signed as a result of this investigation:
Austin Scott Turner, W/M, 311 Nodine Park Dr., Inman, SC, 29349
Grand Larceny for the theft of the trailer with tools
Kenneth Lee McDowell, W/M, 2925 Landrum Mill Rd., Campobello, SC, 29322
Grand Larceny for the theft of the trailer with tools
Gabriel Luc Barnette, W/M, 320 Clark Rd., Inman, SC, 29349
Grand Larceny for the theft of the trailer with tools,
Grand Larceny for the theft of the race car frame
Discharging a firearm into a vehicle
Posession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime
Malicious Damage to Personal Property
Attempted Murder for firing at the victim during the pursuit
Det. Wilkie also asked that the following be included in any press release if possible. It is possible that these subjects have been involved in more recent thefts. If you have purchased or received any items from the suspects listed, you are encouraged to contact Det. Phillip Wilkie of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office at 864-503-4580.
Kenneth Lee McDowell Gabriel Luc Barnette
Austin Scott Turner
