Solicitors question why man accused of stealing SC deputy's vehicle, speeding across state lines keeps bonding out of jail

A South Carolina man who authorities say stole a sheriff's deputy cruiser and led deputies on a chase across the North Carolina-South Carolina border has a lengthy criminal record.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said that psychiatric patient Emmanuel Godbolt, 36, escaped from the emergency department and took a sheriff's vehicle.

Public records obtained by WMBF News shows that Godbolt has bonded out of jail each time he was arrested. He has been charged already 74 times, according to the records.

Godbolt is currently being held at the Robeson County Detention Center in Lumberton, North Carolina, on charges of grand larceny, failing to stop for a blue light, and fleeing to elude arrest. He is being held with a bond of $100,000.

Authorities said he led deputies on a chase from Marion County, South Carolina, into Cumberland County, North Carolina.

South Carolina's 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson explained how bonds are set.

“All bonds are based on two things,” Richardson said. “Whether or not the person is a flight risk, and unfortunately for Robeson County, he is not a flight risk. Everybody would just want him to leave. But, the second part of that test is a danger to the community.”

Richardson added that after two or three major offenses, prosecutors typically deny a person bond.

Back in June, Godbolt was arrested after police said he robbed a bank in Marion. He was later arrested in Florence County on an unrelated charge.

12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements said he believes with a criminal record like Godbolt’s, he has proven to be a danger to the community.

“If they got a lengthy criminal history with different kinds of offenses ... you can determine that they are a danger to the community,” Clements said.

For more on this story, visit WMBF News.