Local

Wrecker service owner, worker charged after drugs, guns found at business

FORT MILL, S.C. — A Fort Mill wrecker service is shut down after narcotics and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents raided the businesses Tuesday.

They found drugs, dozens of guns, and made two arrests.

An unusual tip led to the bust, made by local drug agents, and ATF agents as well working with York County sheriff's deputies.

Police said they got a call that clothes and lottery tickets were missing from two cars that Dover's Wrecker Service had towed. Both of those cars belonged to people who were taken to jail, and reported the missing items once they got their vehicles back.

Those tips led to more information about possible drugs at the wrecker service. Drug agents set up surveillance at the business, and made an undercover drug buy as well.

On Tuesday, they seized 37 guns, including 25 rifles, and 12 handguns. Three had been reported stolen.
That was a shock to Marvin Brown, commander of the York County drug enforcement unit.

"I thought we would find some guns. I thought we would find some stolen guns. I had no idea we were going to find 37 guns," Brown said.

Dover's Wrecker Service owner Ken Dover, 50, and employee Robert Laney, 55, both face charges. Dover has a felony conviction and can't legally own a gun, Brown said.

Police also found hundreds of prescription pills, including hydrocodone, synthetic heroine, and muscle relaxers, along with cocaine, and scales as well.

They believe Dover was selling the drugs from the business.

Dover's family members refused to talk about the incident. Though later, a man who said he was Dover's son told Channel 9 it was all a misunderstanding.

Gary Griffin, a longtime friend of Dover's, dropped by the wrecker service Wednesday afternoon. He was stunned to learn about his friend's arrest.

"It was shocking to me. I wouldn't have ever expected him to do anything like that," Griffin said.

Police said they did find those stolen lottery tickets at the wrecker service, and more charges are expected related to theft from those two cars.

They are also studying the 37 guns to find out of any others were reported stolen. Dover and Laney were expected to be released from jail on bond Wednesday night.