Goose Creek police release photos, but few details, in home invasion

Investigators in Goose Creek released photos Tuesday of a man suspected of breaking into an apartment last week, terrorizing and tying up two residents and stealing several items.

But police officials withheld some details about the violent home invasion that resulted in the hospitalization of one roommate, who claimed to be the target of a random crime.

The incident happened about 9 p.m. Friday at Hallmark Apartments, which is near Red Bank and Howe Hall roads.

The victims told officers that they unlocked the door for a man and a woman who had knocked. That’s when the duo rushed into the apartment, pointed handguns at the residents and said, “Where is it at?” according to an incident report from the Goose Creek Police Department.

The residents, both women ages 22 and 25, said they didn’t know what the robbers wanted. They were tied up as the robbers searched the home, then left with belongings that authorities refused to specify.

The report lists the stolen items, but they were redacted. Also removed from the public document were observations a police officer made upon arriving at the home, as well as information about what the robbers did while inside.

The details were excised from seemingly random portions of the six-page document, said Jay Bender, an attorney for the S.C. Press Association.

“The amount of redacted material isn’t as striking to me as is the random nature of the redactions,” Bender said.

Lt. Karen Nix, a police spokeswoman, said the full report could compromise detectives’ efforts to find the suspects.

“Due to the ongoing investigation, the integrity of particular information is important at this time,” she said.

The victims were able to wriggle free after the robbers left. The youngest was taken to a hospital with what the report said were “severe lacerations.” Her roommate wasn’t hurt.

They described the male robber as between 35 and 40 years old, 180 pounds and 5 feet, 8 inches tall. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans at the time.

The woman was between 30 and 35 years old, 130 pounds and 5 feet, 5 inches tall. She was wearing a “bright pink” jumpsuit and had a short blond hair weave, according to the report.

Investigators acquired surveillance video of the male suspect from a nearby Family Dollar Store at 1120 Red Bank Road.

Reach Andrew Knapp at 937-5414 or twitter.com/offlede.