Randy Scott Villarreal, 39, was arrested after leading North Charleston police on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash. He is now facing multiple charges, including financial transaction card theft, hit-and-run, and failure to stop for blue lights.
The Chase
The incident unfolded on Saturday night around 9 p.m. when police observed Villarreal speeding near Remount Road and Rivers Avenue. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Villarreal ignored the police lights, ran a red light, and collided with another vehicle. Villarreal then fled the scene, reaching speeds of 80 to 90 mph on I-26. Despite his rear tire blowing out, he continued to flee until he crashed into a pickup truck and went off the road into a ditch.
Discovery of Stolen Items
After the crash, police searched Villarreal’s vehicle and found a significant stash of stolen items. This included credit cards, Social Security cards, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and license plates, none of which belonged to Villarreal. These items were stolen from several states, including Pennsylvania, Alabama, and South Carolina.
Outstanding Warrants
In addition to the new charges, Villarreal had several outstanding warrants. These included charges related to a 2021 case in Mount Pleasant, where he was convicted of possession of a stolen vehicle and burglary tools. Villarreal also failed to appear in court for a charge of possessing a stolen license plate. Another set of warrants was tied to a 2022 fraud case.
Additional Charges and Holds
Because of the outstanding warrants, Villarreal is now facing additional charges, including obtaining property under false pretenses, misrepresentation of being a lawyer, and possession of a license plate registered to another vehicle. He is also under two holds—one from probation and parole and another from the Summerville Police Department.
Villarreal was booked after being medically cleared and is currently being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center.
