COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) announced three reported cases of female drugging at a local bar in the past two months.

The first case was reported on September 13, and the last case was reported on November 1. RCSD said each case occurred at TLC Sports Bar off Stadium Road near Williams-Brice Stadium.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott told WIS News 10 the agency is not cooperating with law enforcement. He said they could get security videos and other information about the three incidents from bar management, but that hasn’t happened yet.

“Once is a once. Two? Or three? That’s a pattern that tells me there’s something going on there,” Lott said.

For the first case, RCSD said deputies were dispatched to a local hospital for a report of a young woman who visited TLC and was believed to be suffering from the effects of the date rape drug.

The second case on October 31 was similar; Deputies were flagged down by another woman who claimed she was drugged at the same bar.

Finally, a day later, the third victim claimed the same thing, according to RCSD.

“Sneaking around, sneaking drugs into someone’s drink to get them into physical mental shape, it was that bad that all three of them ended up going to the hospital,” Lott said.

A local emergency room doctor tells WIS News 10 women need to know what to look for when going out.

Brenna Brucker, MD, chief of emergency medicine at Lexington Medical Center, said it’s difficult to travel with friends and pay attention to your surroundings. He said numerous medications can be used to make the victim drowsy, and sometimes symptoms can appear 15-30 minutes after ingestion or later.

“If there is a drink, make sure you keep it in your hand at all times. Never put down your drink,” Brucker said. “If you’re worried about your health in any way, that’s why we’re here. There might be a fear of ‘I don’t want to waste someone’s time in the hospital just because maybe I’m OK,’ but if you know you’re not feeling well, we’re here.”

WIS News 10 made multiple attempts to speak with the organization’s management. A staff member at the bar received a message, but WIS News 10 did not hear back.

Feel more informed, prepared and connected with WIS. Subscribe for more free content like this email newsletterAnd download our apps. Do you have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.

Copyright 2024 WIS. All rights reserved.