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Phillip James Manley
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Gregory Scott Sheehan
SENECA — Two young men broke into Arby’s fast food restaurant in Seneca and dragged a safe full of cash out of the store, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office reported Wednesday.
The daring heist was apparently pulled off during pre-dawn hours Tuesday.
Later that morning, investigators arrested two individuals who they eventually linked to the crime. The pair was first questioned and released after they were seen trying to flag down motorists on Radio Station Road.
Investigators received information from the store manager that convinced them the would-be hitchhikers were the safecrackers.
Gregory Scott Sheehan, who turns 18 in July, and 19-year-old Phillip James Manley, were being held at the Oconee County Detention Center on $50,000 bail each. They are both charged with safecracking, second-degree burglary and grand larceny of more than $1,000 but less than $5,000.
Sheriff’s investigators say that when Arby’s manager, Wylene Thrasher, arrived to open up she immediately saw broken glass on the floor. They say Thrasher quickly went outside and called for help.
Investigators said the side entrance glass door had been completely broken out and there was glass all over the lobby floor. Also, the entire safe was missing.
Sgt. David Smith said in a Sheriff’s report that he saw marks on the pavement apparently made when the suspects dragged the safe along the ground.
Smith asked Thrasher if she knew of any employees who may have committed the burglary. Thrasher said most of her employees were females who could not have picked up the safe.
However, among her male employees Thrasher named Phillip Manley. The name matched one of two men who had been stopped on Radio Station Road. Sheriff’s officers told Thrasher that the other person with Manley was Gregory Sheehan. Thrasher told authorities that Sheehan was the son of one of her managers at the store. Investigators said Sheehan’s mother had nothing to do with the crime.
Smith said Manley and Sheehan cooperated with investigators and indicated where to find the safe. Apparently, the two had put the safe on a crate roller and pulled it behind the Great Wall Chinese Restaurant.
“They never got the money out of the safe,” Smith said. “They got tools from Wal-Mart and tried getting entry into the safe.”
Investigators will review Wal-Mart surveillance camera tapes to see if more charges against Manley and Sheehan are warranted.
Smith said the two men also are suspects in a burglary at Exxon on Interstate 85 in Anderson. He said Anderson Sheriff’s officers will transport Manley and Sheehan to face charges in Anderson.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Sheehan, of 440 Gallo Way in Seneca, does not have a criminal record. However, Manley, of 137 Julian Drive in Seneca, has accrued a string of arrests during the past three months, including assault and battery and simple possession of marijuana.
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June 5, 2008
11:17 a.m.Report inappropriate content
It doesn't suprise me a bit. That Sheehan boy's dad goes around town writing bad checks to cash advance companies.
June 5, 2008
12:09 p.m.Report inappropriate content
It doesn't surprise me one bit either, but it's because young people want something for nothing and they think everyone owes them something. Not to mention the lack of respect and morale values, and the disrepect for the law.
Way to go OCSO and Miss Wylene!!
June 5, 2008
7:20 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I cant believe this. and for u guys who are talkin crap. you dont know these boys. yes they did wrong but deep down there great people. I know Gregory, and I think he just needs to pick a diffrent group of friends. He is really a good kid. and deserves a brake. I love you Gregory!!
hope you get out soon!!
becky!!
June 7, 2008
10:26 a.m.Report inappropriate content
The friends would be the first thing that anyone would think of but I strongly believe that the parents are to blame for the way their child acts. If you do not give your child enough love and set guide lines for them to follow, then you will have a child that you will see on COPS one day. And since I know about the Sheehan family, it seems very odd to me that Gregory would rob the store that his mom is a manager at. I smell something fishy!
June 7, 2008
11:52 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Young people don't all want something for nothing and don't all think everyone owes them something. If a kid does something bad it gets splashed across newspapers for days so you hear about it over and over again...but when a kid does something good...they MIGHT get a paragraph about them in the middle of the paper once--if ever.
Please don't judge young people based on what you read in the newspaper--its not fair to the young people.