Deputy Caleb Baliles charged 46-year-old James William “JW” Effler of Old Fort with felony Fleeing to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Driving While License Revoked and Injury to Personal Property. Detective Michael Vaughn charged Effler with felony Larceny of a Motor Vehicle. Effler was ordered to be held without a bond because he was out on bond for prior unrelated charges. In addition, Effler was served with eleven counts of Failure to Appear in Court for prior criminal charges. He was issued a $65,000 bond for these charges.
On August 8th Deputy Baliles spotted Effler driving a truck in the Old Fort community and knew Effler was wanted on outstanding warrants. Deputy Baliles attempted to stop the truck, and a pursuit ensued. The chase ended on Columbia Carolina Road where Effler attempted to flee on foot. He was taken into custody after a brief foot chase. Deputies determined the truck Effler was operating had been reported stolen by a Marion business on August 1st. A search of Effler turned up suspected drugs and additional charges are pending analysis by the State Crime Lab.
