South Carolina Street Takeover Crackdown Ends With 3 Arrests, Stolen Glock, and Machine Gun Charge

A South Carolina street takeover investigation ended with three 20-year-olds under arrest and deputies recovering a handgun fitted with an automatic switch, according to ABC 4 News. The Charleston County Sheriff's Office says the arrests were connected to an illegal takeover event on Storage Road in Hollywood. Authorities identified the three men as Zamir Jenkins, Jahntavious Rhett, and Jaylen Whitfield. Deputies made the arrests Sunday as part of what Sheriff Carl Ritchie described as an ongoing crackdown on illegal street takeover activity across Charleston County. The charges vary considerably between the three suspects, with allegations ranging from violating South Carolina's street takeover law to possession of stolen property. One of the most serious accusations involves a firearm deputies say was equipped with a device capable of converting it from semi-automatic to fully automatic fire. The sheriff's office also impounded a 2017 Dodge Charger during the operation. Ritchie said the department intends to continue taking 'aggressive action' against street takeovers, calling the events a serious threat to public safety. Deputies Recover Glock With Automatic Switch According to the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, Jenkins was charged with resisting arrest and violating the state's street takeover law. Rhett was charged with unlawfully storing, keeping, or possessing a machine gun or sawed-off shotgun along with a street takeover violation. Whitfield, meanwhile, was charged with possession of stolen goods connected to a stolen Glock .40-caliber pistol. Deputies also recovered another Glock handgun equipped with an automatic switch, which the sheriff's office said can convert a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic weapon. Ritchie said his office has been clear from the beginning that illegal street takeovers will not be tolerated in Charleston County. He also thanked residents who have supported law enforcement efforts and encouraged the public to continue cooperating as deputies pursue similar cases. Commenters Quickly Turn Arrest Photos Into the Main Attraction A large portion of the reaction had less to do with the street takeover itself and more to do with the suspects' booking photos. One commenter joked that 'somebody needs to take over their barbershop,' while another claimed The Simpsons must have already made an episode about the trio. Others leaned into sarcasm over the arrests, with reactions including 'Shocking…. No, I'm kidding' and 'color me shocked.' Another person jokingly asked whether the middle suspect had been tased, though the information released by authorities did not say that happened. The thread also drew criticism over racially charged remarks appearing beneath the story. One commenter pushed back directly, arguing that 'crime has no preference or race' and calling on others to stop judging people based on their appearance rather than the accusations actually described by authorities.