Vehicle Stolen by Man Without License Successfully Recovered in Spartanburg, Police Reports
Details of Vehicle Recovery
The Spartanburg Police Department (SPD) said on Saturday that it had successfully recovered a stolen SUV on Friday night. Based on reports from the SPD, officers were alerted about a silver Chevrolet Tahoe, looking suspicious via a ‘Flock hit’. This is a system that law enforcement employs to compile a list of suspicious vehicles to keep an eye out for.
Officer Colton Peacock of the SPD stated that he observed the suspiciously marked Tahoe parked at a gas booth in a local convenience store. Peacock was initially unable to confirm if the hit from the vehicle was accurate, as he couldn’t see the SUV’s license plate. He therefore decided to tail the vehicle once it was on the move to confirm if it was indeed the reported stolen SUV.
Police Intercepts the Stolen SUV
Officer Peacock followed the stolen vehicle until he could get assistance. The stolen SUV was eventually intercepted at another location where the driver decided to stop. According to Peacock, he, alongside the backup SPD officers, activated their blue lights system and began to approach the stolen vehicle as it parked in front of a store in downtown Spartanburg.
As safety precautions, given the location of the gas station and in the efforts to avoid any unintended dangers, Officer Peacock drew his firearm but kept it pointed down. The officers on sight then began to issue directives to the vehicle occupants – a driver and a front passenger – to stand still and not make any sudden moves.
Driver of the Stolen Vehicle
On reaching the vehicle and successfully engaging the occupants, the driver was identified as Joseph Gilfillan, a 50-year-old man, and it was discovered that his driving license was suspended. Gilfillan claimed he had purchased the vehicle for $4500 and was not aware that the vehicle had been reported as stolen.
The SPD took Gilfillan into custody and he was later booked into the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. His bond has not yet been posted. More updates will follow as this investigation unfolds.
