Police say an Orangeburg man initially charged in connection with a stolen car is tied to the June 5 assault and home invasion of a Charleston Highway couple.

Jay Anthony Carter, 19, went before a county magistrate Wednesday to face charges alleging he was one of two men who forced their way into the home of an elderly couple at gunpoint.

“Mr. Carter, you’ve got four, five criminal charges against you,” Orangeburg County Magistrate Richard Murray said. “This court doesn’t have jurisdiction over them. Since one of the charges has to go before a circuit court judge, I’m going to send the rest to him.”



Carter is charged with one count each of first-degree burglary, grand larceny and kidnapping in relation to the Charleston Highway assault.

“Are you aware of the charges?” Murray asked.

“I didn’t know ... ” Carter said.

“I’m just asking if you’re aware of the charges,” the magistrate repeated.

Police say two armed men forced their way into the senior Orangeburg County couple’s residence at around 12:30 p.m. on June 5, sending both seniors to the hospital.

The couple told investigators that as they drove onto their property, a burgundy truck, possibly a Toyota, pulled in behind them. Two men exited the truck and approached the couple as they stood beside their vehicle.

The two men initially asked directions to Wal-Mart. As the senior couple were giving the men directions, they pulled out handguns and forced the couple inside their home.

Betty Arant, 72, told officials she was bound and placed on the floor while her husband, 75-year-old Bobby Arant, was placed on the floor and held at gunpoint. The second gunman then “looted the residence,” according to an incident report.

Both of the elderly residents suffered back injuries and bruising. Betty Arant remained hospitalized for several days after the incident.

After the gunmen fled the residence, they made off with the Arants’ vehicle. The white 1999 Chrysler was recovered several days later in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Carter was taken into custody last week on suspicions he was in possession of a stolen vehicle.

In December, an Orangeburg man reported his burgundy 2006 Toyota Tundra stolen from his property. On Friday, the man notified authorities after seeing the truck being driven through Orangeburg.

Orangeburg County Sheriff’s deputies located the truck and arrested Carter for grand larceny and unlawful carrying of a pistol in connection with that incident.

Delving deeper into the stolen truck incident, investigators say they discovered Carter has ties to Rocky Mount, N.C. and the June 5 assault.

Shackled hand and foot, Carter entered the courtroom Wednesday flanked by three officers. According to a warrant, Carter was picked out of a lineup by the victims.

Sheriff Larry Williams said he’s “deeply saddened” that a senior couple in the county would be attacked at their home in such a vicious manner, promising to find the second gunman who remains at large.

“We‘re going to work it until we can’t work it any longer,” Williams said. “And then we’re going to work it some more.”

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5516. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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