Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest in Grand Larceny and Vehicle Break-In Investigation

Bartley Omar White

(Walhalla, SC)-----------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is announcing today an arrest in a Grand Larceny and vehicle break-in investigation.

43 year old Bartley Omar White, who has listed addresses in Greenville, SC and Houston, TX, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center. on Saturday, September 19^th, at around 5am.  White was transported from Harris County, TX to Oconee County. 

White was served arrest warrants on charges of Grand Larceny, Breaking into a Motor Vehicle and Criminal Conspiracy.  White was given a combined $30,000 surety bond during an initial appearance before a Judge.  White is required to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of being released on bond.

The Sheriff’s Office began an investigation on June 20^th of this year after a Deputy responded to Fairway Lane, in Chickasaw Point, in reference to a larceny.  The Deputy met with the victim and learned that approximately $22,000 had been stolen from a vehicle, a 2018 white Chevrolet Express G3500 box truck.  The money was withdrawn by the victim from a bank in another Upstate County for payroll purposes in order to pay employees who were working construction jobs. 

The investigation was turned over to a Property Crimes Investigator assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau.  The Investigator was able to obtain evidence in the case through the use of FLOCK cameras, as well as with the assistance of employees of Chickasaw Point and the bank where the money was withdrawn. 

Based upon evidence gathered during the investigation, the Investigator was able to identify the suspect vehicle as a black Chevrolet Equinox.  The vehicle was occupied by two men, with one of the men being identified as Bartley Omar White. 

The Investigator in the case believes that the victim could have been the victim of what is known as a “jugging” theft.  The Investigator obtained evidence that the suspect vehicle was at the victim’s bank on the same day as the money withdrawal was made.  The driver in the suspect vehicle, identified as White, then followed the victim’s vehicle in the same direction.   The

suspect vehicle was then observed at Chicksaw Point on the same day that the crime was committed.  The Investigator believes that the victim was followed all the way from the bank to Chicksaw Point and that the victim was the target of the crime. 

Based upon evidence obtained during the investigation, and after a consultation with a Judge, arrest warrants were obtained against White. 

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and further arrests are expected in the investigation. 

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone to use caution, and be aware of their surroundings, if they make any withdrawals from an ATM or a bank.  As always, “If You See Something, Say Something” if anything appears to be suspicious.