EHRHARDT, S.C. - The day started out like any other shift for Ehrhardt Police Department Sgt. Chris Porter and Bamberg County Sheriff's Department Deputy Norris Williams on Aug. 7. But at approximately 6 p.m., things changed.

Porter initiated a routine traffic stop when he observed a blue Honda Civic disregard a stop sign. The suspect, Jacobo Gutierrez-Perez, was charged with having no S.C. driver's license, no insurance, no registration, faulty equipment, no turn signal and disregarding a stop sign. At that point, he was taken into custody.

Then, according to newly-appointed Ehrhardt Police Chief James A. Preacher Jr., Williams ran an NCIC check on Gutierrez-Perez and found that he was wanted by the U.S. Marshal's Office for allegedly smuggling aliens into the United States.

"He has about eight aliases, and officers were instructed to approach with caution," Preacher said. "He was extradited from the Bamberg County Jail on Aug. 8."

Preacher said he was "very proud" of the way Porter and Williams handled the situation.

"I would like to thank Bamberg County Sheriff Ed Darnell for the cooperation of his department," Preacher said. "Team work like this will help keep all our officers safe and foster an atmosphere of cooperation."

T&D Correspondent Sherryl Peters can be reached by e-mail at Boykinbaby@surrealestate.com or by phone at 803-263-4058. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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