wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |Deputy arrested for stealing ceramic tile while in marked patrol car

Deputy arrested for stealing ceramic tile while in marked patrol car

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By Jason Old - email
Kenneth Dale Perdue (Source: WBTV) Kenneth Dale Perdue (Source: WBTV)

LANCASTER, SC (WBTV) -  A former Lancaster County deputy has been charged with Misconduct in Office, Burglary and Larceny after admitting to stealing from a home under construction while he was on duty, arrest warrants state.

According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the 10200 block of Lakeshore Drive in Lancaster about a theft of several boxes of ceramic tile. When deputies arrived they determined that materials had been stolen from inside the home that was under construction. 

Witnesses told deputies that they had seen a marked Lancaster County Sheriff's Office patrol car leaving from the area during the burglary.

The responding deputies notified supervisors at the Sheriff's Office and an internal investigation was immediately started. 

During the investigation, Kenneth Dale Perdue, 36, of Lancaster was identified as a suspect. According to arrest warrants, vehicle GPS tracking showed Perdue's patrol vehicle at the address for 6 minutes.

Perdue was employed at the Sheriff's Office as a patrol deputy and was on duty at the time of the incident, Sheriff Barry Faile told WBTV.

"I am absolutely disgusted by this incident," Sheriff Faile said. "Mr. Perdue has disgraced himself, this department, and the badge that he once wore.  He has violated the public trust given to him and given law enforcement officers everywhere a black eye.  This type of behavior is inexcusable and will not be tolerated at the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office.  I am left to only apologize to the citizens of Lancaster County and assure you that I will see that he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." 

He was immediately terminated and the State Law Enforcement Division was contacted to assist with the investigation. 

Perdue has been arrested and charged with Burglary 3rd Degree, Petit Larceny, and Misconduct in Office. He remains incarcerated awaiting a bond hearing. All of the stolen property has been recovered and will be returned to the victim, deputies told WBTV.  Perdue reportedly acted alone during the theft.

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