SC identity fraud victim ‘in limbo’ after being linked to Walmart arsons - WIS News 10

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A South Carolina man ― whose name was linked to a pair of arsons that he didn’t commit ― is now setting the record straight.

The Columbia Police Department arrested Jarod Stacy earlier this week. He’s accused of setting fire to two local Walmarts.

The problem is, he told police that his name was Hunter A. Laycock, and he was booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center under that name.

The real Hunter Laycock, from Mount Pleasant, got wind of this, and contacted WIS News on Wednesday afternoon and said he was a victim of identity theft.

Columbia police sent out another news release correcting the identity of the alleged arsonist.

What’s unclear is why it took law enforcement and the detention center so long to figure out Stacy’s true identity.

Stacy has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple prior arrests and convictions in South Carolina and other states.

Exactly how the mix-up happens remains somewhat of a mystery. Columbia police said Stacy gave officers the false name when he was arrested but he did not have an I.D. on him.

A spokesperson with the Columbia Police Department said officers are working to find out Stacy got Laycock’s full name and date of birth.

Stacy was booked in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center under the name Hunter Laycock. A spokesperson for Richland County declined to answer specific questions about if the jail ran Stacy’s fingerprints. She did say that it is standard protocol for correctional officers to fingerprint suspects during the intake process.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on Monday afternoon after authorities accused him of setting fire inside two Walmarts.(CPD)

Meanwhile, Laycock is left to deal with the aftermath.

“I don’t know what to do? I feel like I’m in limbo ... It’s been stress and running around a little bit,” he said.

A SLED background check obtained by WIS News 10 listed Hunter Laycock as a possible alias for Jarod Stacy.

Laycock said it was important for him to speak up, clear his name and warn others about the dangers of identity theft.

“I’ve had to tell two bosses, an HR person and every time their face just goes like – wild thing to hear,” he said. “Not what expect from 22-year-old guy, been here for 6 months, walking into your office for the first time.”

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