Off-Duty S.C. Deputy Foils Jewelry Store Theft by Tackling Suspect

Charleston County Sheriff's Master Deputy Alexander McKinnon, shopping while off duty, detained an alleged jewelry store thief for North Charleston police after he chased down and tackled the suspect.

By Mark Price

Source The Bellingham Herald (Bellingham, Wash.)

June 12, 2025

2 min read

Charleston County, SC, Sheriff's Master Deputy Alexander McKinnon.

Shopping turned dangerous for an off-duty sheriff’s deputy when he confronted a jewelry store robbery suspect, according to investigators in South Carolina.

The takedown happened Tuesday, June 10, in North Charleston, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said in a June 11 news release.

“Master Deputy Alexander McKinnon was shopping at REEDS Jewelers in Northwoods Mall when a man walked into another nearby store, Great American Jewelry, and asked the store clerk to see some jewelry. The man then grabbed the jewelry and took off running,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook.

“McKinnon quickly learned of the situation and chased the suspect, identifying himself as a Deputy Sheriff. The suspect then threatened McKinnon, saying he would have a ‘friend come to the location and shoot him.’ At that moment, McKinnon tackled the suspect.”

He held the suspect down until a North Charleston Police Department Officer showed up to make the arrest, officials said.

The identity of the suspect and details of the charges were not released.

McKinnon’s also is a school resource officer for the Charleston County School District. His most recent post was at Mount Zion Elementary School, the sheriff’s office said.

“McKinnon’s actions embody all that the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office stands for. As law enforcement professionals, we have the responsibility to serve and protect our community, whether we are in uniform or not,” Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie said in the release.

North Charleston is about a 105-mile drive southeast from Columbia.

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