AIKEN --- For Dustin Lee Mackie and Angela Michelle Mackie, the honeymoon didn't last long.
The couple, who authorities say got married just days after becoming wanted in a May 21 murder case in Kentucky, were arrested Thursday night in Aiken County.
The Paducah (Ky.) Police Department was able to pinpoint a cell phone signal more than 500 miles away.
Mr. and Mrs. Mackie, whose maiden name is Angela Orenduff, were wanted in the shooting death of Jon Michael Crouch, 38, of Paducah, according to a police news release. Police say they found a handgun in the Mackies' vehicle that fits the caliber of weapon used in the fatal shooting.
According to police, the incident occurred as the Mackies, of Kevil, Ky., drove next to Mr. Crouch's vehicle. After a confrontation at a stop sign, police say the two vehicles drove about a half block when Mr. Mackie, 23, is believed to have fired into Mr. Crouch's vehicle. Mr. Crouch was struck in the head, causing his car to speed down a hill, hit a utility pole and flip over. Mr. Crouch died the next day.
The release states that the shooting was the result of an ongoing dispute about a theft from the Mackies, but Capt. Brandon Barnhill declined to release further details.
"It's not often that we look for husband and wife pairs, but we'll just take it as it comes," Capt. Barnhill said, adding that they married Wednesday.
"The Kentucky authorities indicated they had been trying to track these folks through the use of their cell phones and they got a hit on a tower in Aiken," said Sid Gaulden, a spokesman for the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Aiken County authorities were notified of a general location about 7:30 p.m. and officers with Mr. Gaulden's department responded, first spotting Mrs. Mackie, 38, outside a home in Murphy Village in North Augusta. A vehicle that fit a description provided by Kentucky authorities also was at the home, Mr. Gaulden said.
He said that as officers arrested Mrs. Mackie, Mr. Mackie appeared, made threatening comments and put his hands in his pockets. Officers took Mr. Mackie to the ground and arrested him, finding a knife in his pocket, Mr. Gaulden said. He said he didn't know whether the couple knew anyone at the home, but Mr. Mackie does have family in Newberry, S.C.
Capt. Barnhill said he believes the area is a construction zone for new homes, adding "I think they didn't have any place to go and they were right off the interstate and that's how lucky you guys are."
On Friday afternoon, the couple were being held at the Aiken County Detention Center pending extradition to Kentucky.
Reach Preston Sparks at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com
Comments
Wife 38 and husband 23? And travelled to a home in Murphy Village (i.e., gypsy village)? No further explanation is needed. lol. Also, from a technical standpoint, for the couple to have got caught that quick in Murphy Village and for the police to know even what house to look, it shows how "big brother" is monitoring that place.
Charlie, the article said they did not believe that they knew anyone in Murphy Village and that it was a new construction zone. Pleanty ofhomeless people spend the night in homes being built. Just ask any builder..As far as wbig brother, each phone as an ESN number that is unique to that phone and tied to the account holder. That is how the cell phone company knows how many minuets are used. Easy to trace, just get the phone company to look up their account and see from where the last call was made. Not rocket science, just technology.
They're lucky they didn't get shot by some ticked off gypsy.
WHATSOEVER A MAN SOW, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP. May God bless both families and give the family of the deceased strength to endure the hurt and pain. I recall of a murderer long ago who could kill and then go and eat a steak right afterwards. This is similar. Kill and then go get married. The hearts of men have waxed cold. Let's repent and turn our lives back to Jesus before it's too late. Read Psalms 51 and Romans 10:9, 10.
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