An elderly Greenville man is accused of improperly touching two children.

Robert Luther Gilstrap, 81, of 44 Coventry Lane was charged Wednesday by the Union County Sheriff’s Office with two counts of committing a lewd act on a child under the age of 14. He has been released from the Union County Jail on $15,000 surety bond. The victims in the case, both girls, are 9 and 7.

The sheriff’s office became involved in the case on Oct. 3.

Both victims told Sgt. Russell Vinson that Gilstrap was giving them rides one at a time on a four-wheeler on Oct. 2 on Philippi Church Road. Both said Gilstrap stopped in the woods, kissed them on the lips and put his hand between their legs.

One of the children reported the incident to someone else, who contacted her relative. The relative contacted authorities.

Warrants signed in fracas

One person has been arrested and warrants signed on several more in a fracas that occurred Thursday.

Shaina Nicole Austin, 18, of 250 Old English Road was charged Friday with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and two counts of assault and battery. Warrants will be signed against four other people in the case.

Cpl. Scott Ruby and Reserve Officer Doug Gilliam were called to 323 Meadowoods Road around midnight after it was reported a fight was in progress and someone had been stabbed. Everyone had left before officers arrived.

Sarah Rinehart, 31, who lives at the residence, was treated in the emergency room at Wallace Thomson Hospital for several knife cuts on her hands.

Amber Boulware, 19, who also lives in the home, was transported by Union County EMS to the hospital for pain in her back, ribs and head.

At the scene, officers recovered a very large knife, a pair of women’s sandals and a ball cap from driveway. The knife had fresh blood on the blade.

Officers attempted for several hours to contact all those present at the altercation, but were not successful at the time of the report. Lt. Al Black was called to assist in the investigation.

Man arrested in theft

John Thomas Harkins, 30, of 421 S. Pearson St., Woodruff, was charged Wednesday by the Union County Sheriff’s Office with two counts of grand larceny. According to Harkins’ booking sheet from the Union County Jail, he was taken into custody at Livesay Prerelease Center.

According to reports, Harkins is accused of being involved in the theft of radiator cores from three air conditioning units behind the building at Versa Teach on 112 Terrapin Road. The theft was discovered on Sept. 10, 2007.