Man arrested after investigation for trespassing | Community News

Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis announced the arrest of a man following the conclusion of a trespassing investigation. Johnny Clarence Gibson, 50, of Summerville, was arrested Tuesday, July 9.

Officers from the Community Action Team (CAT), Patrol Division and Police began investigating a man who had set up camp in the woods between Del Webb Nexton and Nexton Parkway. Officers patrolled the area and then came across an enclosed utility trailer with solar panels, a pop-up canopy, a grill and a refrigerator under the power lines that looked like a makeshift campsite.

Officers began speaking with the individual, later identified as Johnny Clarence Gibson. Gibson was advised that he was not allowed to camp under the power line and that he did not have permission to enter the property. Gibson became defensive toward officers. While officers told Gibson he needed to begin cleaning the property, officers noticed a black trailer parked next to Gibson’s enclosed trailer. The vehicle identification number (VIN) was verified by Berkeley County dispatch and they advised that the trailer had been stolen by the Horry County Police Department.

Gibson was arrested while officers searched the rest of the property.

Officers then found a Bintelli moped on the stolen trailer. They attempted to find a VIN on the moped, but the visible VIN plate was so scratched that the letters and numbers were unreadable. While attempting to find the VIN of the moped, officers also noticed a medium-sized coil of copper tubing on the trailer. Officers then found a Yamaha Grizzly 660 four-wheeler parked in storage with the VIN scratched off.

Gibson was arrested and charged with receiving stolen goods, two counts of altering or defacing a vehicle identification number, and transporting or possessing stolen non-ferrous metals.

“This arrest was made possible due to the numerous complaints we have received from our community,” Lewis said in a press release. “If you notice anything suspicious, please come forward.”