Cops arrest suspect in eight-year-old case

Detectives brought an alleged burglar into custody for a home invasion in the North Charleston portion of the Dorchester County — a little more than eight years after the incident was first reported. 

According to a Dec. 13 media release, Dorchester County police have apprehended Gerard Antonio Felder of Ladson — 32 at the time of the offense — for his alleged role in a Nov. 22, 2014 break-in on Pine Grove Drive. 

The individual in question was reportedly identified via evidence sent for testing, which revealed Felder as a person of interest through a CODIS hit (Combined DNA Index System) on Aug 2. 

Investigators obtained eight warrants for Felder, who was later charged with burglary, criminal sexual conduct (1st degree), possession of a weapon during a violent crime and five counts of kidnapping. 

A bond request was denied for Felder during a Dec. 13 hearing. 

Old police records indicate a local mother — who was frequenting an evening establishment known as Club Vegas at the time of the incident — was informed by one her five juvenile children that two unknown Black males had broken into the family residence earlier that night. 

Upon returning home at 4:45 a.m., the mother found her front door ajar. The juveniles recounted that one of two subjects possessed a shotgun and explained that he was there as part of a drug bust. He proceeded to ask the minors where the drugs and money were stashed.

One of the youngsters, police say, was forced into the living room by one of the two men who demanded that the victim perform a sexual act on him. As this was taking place, the other intruding party reportedly searched through kitchen cabinets and drawers. 

The suspects fled the scene shortly after and allegedly swiped one of the children's cell phones before exiting the residence. 

An online police database shows that Felder has been arrested on multiple occasions in recent years.