Police | Gunshots before fire set off suspicions

Police

HORRY COUNTY

Gunshots before fire set off suspicions

Horry County officials are investigating a fire at a hair salon after owners reported gunshots were fired into their home just before the incident, according to a news release.

Detectives are investigating the fire reported early Monday at Wilson's Barbershop located at 8160 S.C. 90, Horry County police Sgt. Robert Kegler said. A patrol officer noticed the business was engulfed in flames, and when he went to the owners home on Dewitt Road to notify them of the fire the owners told the officer shots were fired into their home just before the fire.

The victims told police the gunshots woke them, but they did not see anyone outside the home, Kegler said. The cause of the fire was deemed suspicious and remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident or fire can call Horry County police at 915-5350 or to remain anonymous call 915-TIPS.

MYRTLE BEACH

Trio arrested with Ecstasy at mall

Three Myrtle Beach men were jailed after police found Ecstasy pills in their vehicle and home, according to a police report.

Officers working undercover investigating a man who was reported to have been selling illegal pills stopped a vehicle in the parking lot of Coastal Grand mall about 6 p.m. Sunday, police said.

David Anthony Todd, 19, Lemar Haselden, 35, and Michael R. Willcutt, 41, all of 519 35th Ave. N., were each arrested during the investigation, according to police reports. The men are being held at J. Reuben Long Detention Center on various bonds.

Todd and Haselden were each charged with trafficking Ecstasy and one count each of solicitation, according to jail records.

Haselden also faces a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine near a school.

Todd is being held on $10,469 bond while Haselden is being held on $20,469 bond, according to jail records. Willcutt was charged with first-offense of possession of a controlled substance and is being held on $10,000 bond.

Todd and Haselden were arrested when police stopped them outside the mall after they saw them talk to several people including a woman who said Haselden asked her for money, according to a police report. Todd told police his uncle, Haselden, took him to the mall after they left their home.

Two other men told police they came to the mall so they could purchase Ecstasy from Todd, according to the report. Police found a bottle that contained 79 pills that tested positive for MDMA.

Police arrested Willcutt when they went to the men's home to execute a search warrant and found pills in his bedroom, according to the report. Police also found drugs in Hasleden's room.

MYRTLE BEACH

Swing at officer means night in jail

A Myrtle Beach man was arrested after he tried to punch a police officer and then ran away from him, according to a police report.

Dane Michael Rebochak, 24, of 217 Sienna Lane was charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, public intoxication and possession of marijuana, according to the report.

Officer Ryan Mindala wrote in his report that he was patroling Broadway at the Beach about 2:30 a.m. Saturday when he saw a man put his head inside an open window of a vehicle and yell an obscenity, according to the report. The officer drove up next to the man after the other vehicle drove away and told him to chill out.

Mindala wrote in his report that Rebochak shouted obscenities at him and tried to punch him in the face as he opened his door. When Mindala got out of the vehicle, Rebochak took a fighting stance toward him before his friend grabbed him and told him to leave.

Rebochak took off running, but Mindala chased him and tackled him to the ground, according to the report. The officer struggled with Rebochak until a person passing by helped him get the man under control and handcuffed. EMS responded to treat a cut to Rebochak's forehead.