RCSD: Possible date rape drug given at local sports bar in Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) has announced three reported cases in the last two months of women drugged at a local bar.
The first case was reported on Sept. 13, and the last case was reported on Nov 1. RCSD said each case happened at TLC Sports Bar off Stadium Road near Williams-Brice Stadium.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott told WIS News 10 the establishment is not cooperating with law enforcement. He said they should be able to get the surveillance video and other information about the three incidents from bar management, but that it hasn’t happened yet.
“Once is one time. Two? Or three? That’s a pattern that tells me we have something going on there,” said Lott.
For the first case, RCSD said deputies were dispatched to a local hospital for a report of a young woman who had visited TLC and had believed to be suffering the effects of the date rape drug.
The second case on Oct. 31 was similar in nature when deputies were flagged down by another woman who claimed to be drugged at the same bar.
Lastly, one day later, the third victim claimed the same thing, according to RCSD.
“Sneaking around, sneaking drugs into somebody’s drink to put them in this physical mental shape that they end up being, these three all had to end up going to the hospital, it was that bad,” said Lott.
One local ER doctor told WIS News 10 that women need to know what to look for when going out.
Doctor Brenna Brucker, the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Lexington Medical Center, said there is power in traveling with friends and being observant of your surroundings. She said any number of drugs can be used to make a victim sleepy, and sometimes symptoms can come within 15-30 minutes of ingesting or later.
“If there is a beverage, make sure you are holding it at all times. Never put your drink down,” said Brucker. “If you are worried about your health in any way, that‘s why we are here. There could be fear of ’I don‘t want to waste someone’s time at the hospital because maybe I’m fine’, but if you know that you don’t feel quite right, we are here.”
WIS News 10 made multiple attempts to speak with the management of the establishment. A staff member at the bar took a message but WIS News 10 hasn’t heard back.
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