‘Come forward’: Investigators search for victims, suspects after 6 years of park thefts

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — The York County Sheriff’s Office is looking into the alleged theft of money from a Clover park that has happened over the last six years.

The investigation involves payments made to Field Day Park from October 2020 through March 2026.

Investigators said visitors who thought they were paying cash to make a reservation, were really just giving money away.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who has paid cash to the park for facility rentals, sponsorships, pickleball classes or as a food truck vendor during that time to contact them.

Officials said this could help them find potential victims and witnesses.

One park goer told Channel 9’s Ken Lemon that Field Day Park is packed in the warm months, especially at night.

“There’s not a parking spot you can get because it’s that busy with traveling baseball, softball, and soccer teams,” Scott Anderson said.

He said the park’s popularity may be why a thief would attempt the con.

Andy Johns said he and his friends don’t have any trouble finding a free court on Fridays when most people are at work.

“People come here looking for a fun day on a Saturday, and it’s packed,” he said.

And those are the opportunities that the thieves are looking for, Johns said.

“It’s easy to slip up and think you are reserving a spot and you really don’t get it,” he said.

That could be true of pickleball, softball and soccer fields, or even food trucks.

One park goer told Lemon that the money needs to be returned.

“All the money needs to go back to those people. Who knows how much has been taken away,” Joey Petrellese said.

The thief never took electronic payments, which could be tracked. Deputies said the thief only took cash, sometimes $20 and $100 bills.

“Our detective whose in charge of this case, just needs people to come forward,” Deputy Trent Farris said.

Field Day Park will remain open during the investigation, officials said.

People can still make reservations, but investigators say to always get a receipt and never pay in cash.

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