West Columbia police arrest burglary suspect after he steals and wrecks patrol car

West Columbia, SC – The West Columbia Police Department responded to a burglary in progress Monday on White Avenue in the City of West Columbia. When officers arrived on scene, the suspect matching the description fled the scene on foot. The man ran through the woods and a pursuit was initiated. Police established a perimeter and a K9 team was called to assist.

During the search, the suspect doubled back, and located a marked West Columbia Police car. The car was locked but the window was lowered. The suspect got in the vehicle and fled the scene in the cruiser.

Eventually, the vehicle was involved in an accident in the parking lot of a business at 2314 Charleston Highway. The suspect fled that scene and was involved in another accident at the 2400 block of Charleston Highway in the City of Cayce near Bi-Lo. He fled on foot and was eventually taken into custody by officers with the Cayce Department of Public Safety.

Mark Donovan Barlow, 26, West Columbia has been charged with Burglary 2nd Degree, Breaking into Motor Vehicle (3 counts), Grand Larceny and Failure to Stop on Police Command.

He is being booked into the Lexington County Detention Center where he will face a bond hearing.