By Mayor Billy Keyserling

To Chief Matt Clancy and the men and women police officers, detectives and investigators who work under your leadership: During this holiday season, and in light of this week’s accomplishments, I want to take a moment to join the citizens of Beaufort in thanking your team for a job well done.
No matter the circumstance, your officers are on the spot upholding the highest level of public safety possible for the people of our hometown.
We are fortunate to have a great law enforcement team under your leadership.
Here are some Beaufort Police Department press releases describing recent accomplishments:

DECEMBER 14: ARREST MADE IN SHOOTING CASE
Beaufort Police Department investigators arrested 20 year-old Roquel Connors in connection with the December 11 fatal shooting that took place at 1700 Salem Road. The incident stemmed from a drug deal that turned into an attempted robbery. The victim drove two other men to meet with Connors in the parking lot of Canal Apartments for a prearranged narcotics purchase. It is alleged that at some point a passenger in the victim’s vehicle attempted to steal drugs and money from Connors and a struggle ensued. Connors is accused of pulling a 9 mm pistol from her purse and firing a shot that struck 51-year-old Mark Kevin Jones who was driving the vehicle, fatally wounding him. Connors has been charged with manslaughter, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. The investigation is still ongoing and additional charges and suspects are pending.

BURGLARY SUSPECT CAUGHT AFTER CHASE AND SEARCH
At approximately 10 a.m. on December 14, Beaufort Police officers responded to a report of a suspicious person in the area of North Street and Linton Lane. When officers arrived, they observed a man walking towards the old train trestle. The man had a back pack and appeared to be attempting to conceal items under his jacket. When an officer attempted to make contact with the man, he dropped the items and back pack and began to run. Officers lost sight of him in the wooded are behind 1505 Salem Road. A perimeter was set up and Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office K-9 tracking unit was called. The tracking dog picked up the suspect’s scent and he was located and taken into custody. The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Shane Frazier of Burton who was wanted on several warrants. Additional investigation revealed that Frazier had broken into a house on North Street and stolen the items that were in his back pack when he fled the officer. He will be charged in connection to this case as well. Chief Clancy said, “This is an excellent example of neighbors looking out for one another and the community partnership with the police. The witness, patrol officers and K-9 unit worked together seamlessly and a wanted criminal is off the street.”