2 Arrested in 3-Month Lexington County Property Crime Spree

A West Columbia man and his girlfriend were arrested in connection with a three-month-long property crime spree in Lexington County.

Gene Carroll “Fuzzy” Rutland Jr., 31, was arrested Friday on six counts of grand larceny, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

Detectives also arrested Rutland’s live-in girlfriend, Rachel Ann Hobson, 35, on charges of accessory after the fact to a felony and obstruction of justice, detectives said.

Authorities say Rutland stole multiple items valued at about $25,600 during the crime spree that occurred between May 21 and Sept. 5. 

Those incidents are as follow:

May 21 at Ballbusters Paintball, Inc. at 227 Super Drive, West Columbia: Rutland allegedly stole one Yamaha Big Bear all-terrain vehicle, one EZ Go golf cart and one Stihl chainsaw valued at $2,600. 

Aug. 4 at home on Wilbur Road near Gaston: Rutland allegedly stole computer power cords and one video camera worth about $2,000.

Between Aug. 10 and Aug. 22 at property on Busbee Road near Gaston: Rutland on two occasions stole one large saw mill blade, farm equipment and scrap metal worth about $10,000.

Aug. 28 at a home on Savannah Highway near Swansea: Rutland stole a 2013 CF Moto X500 all-terrain vehicle worth about $5,000.

Sept. 5 at a home on Burton Road near Lexington: Rutland stole a brown 17-foot Laser bass boat, with a 150-horsepower Mariner outboard motor, worth about $6,000. 

Detectives say Hobson helped Rutland by trying to buy replacement parts for the stolen all-terrain vehicle on Sept. 12.

The case involving Rutland remains under investigation and additional charges may be filed, according to the sheriff’s department.