Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

GROVETOWN, Ga. -- The U.S. Marshals say Tabias Lorland McFadden, also known as “Weenie,” tried to hide from them in a closet in Grovetown.

McFadden has been running from law enforcement since last August on warrants out of the Florence County Sheriff’s Department. He was allegedly involved in a shooting incident and was wanted for two counts of attempted murder, and one each of firing a firearm into an occupied dwelling, discharging a firearm into a vehicle and armed robbery. Lake City Police had also issued warrants for kidnapping, armed robbery, burglary, and assault and battery.

Florence County investigators and Lake City detectives began developing information and Operation Intercept, a fugitive task force of the U.S. Marshals, was contacted for assistance.

In the meantime, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office also issued warrants on McFadden for two counts of murder and one count of armed robbery.

On Wednesday, OPIN got a tip that McFadden had fled to Grovetown and was in a residence off Perry Mill Circle. The Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force was called and surveillance was set up on the location. When the Marshals arrived, they were allowed into the home and McFadden was found hiding in a bedroom closet.

"Tabias McFadden can no longer run and hide. He must stand before a court of law on the alleged charges against him. This dangerous and violent fugitive is no longer causing fear on the streets of South Carolina. McFadden thought fleeing to another state would bring him solitude from the law enforcement community, however, he under estimated the jurisdictional reach of the U.S. Marshals Service. To the victims of these heinous acts, we hope this brings you some peace knowing McFadden has been apprehended. I value the partnerships we have with all law enforcement involved and stand proud to represent the dedication of the men and women to bring McFadden to justice." stated Kelvin Washington, U.S. Marshal for the District of South Carolina.

McFadden is being held at the Columbia County Detention Center.

"Our office works very closely with the Marshals' Service, and we are proud that one of our investigators is permanently assigned to the Fugitive Task Force," Sheriff Kenney Boone stated. "With the assistance of the Marshals' Service, there is no place for a fugitive to hide. We will eventually find you. Thanks to the Marshals' Service for their great work in this case."