New state gang law could be used to prosecute 5 in Beaufort County

HILTON HEAD ISLAND — Five men who police said broke into at least two dozen cars near Bluffton could become the first suspects prosecuted under the state's new gang law.

"We've got five individuals that are no doubt committing crimes and causing havoc," said Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner. "Based on their actions, they're calling themselves a gang, so I want to treat them as one."

Prosecutor Angela McCall- Tanner plans to meet with detectives next week before deciding whether to use the Criminal Gang Prevention Act made law in June.

The law allows the state grand jury to investigate gang crimes.

That panel has more powers, such as the authority to subpoena witnesses and evidence, allowing prosecutors to investigate gangs the same way as drug rings or public corruption cases.

"It's a phenomenal tool used to build a complete case by using the investigative power of the state grand jury.

"Instead of going after one individual at a time, you can build a case on the whole web," said Mark Plowden, a spokesman for the attorney general's office.

The men looked for unlocked cars, stealing items inside to trade or sell for money to buy drugs, deputies said.

Four of the suspects even used a hot plate to heat up a pirate coin and burn a skull and crossed swords into their wrists, authorities said.

The suspects charged in the car break-ins are Andrew L. Campbell, 18; Ryan P. Meade, 18; Timothy S. Shattuck, 18; Christopher A. Sparks, 19; and Nicholas J. Taylor, 20.