News from around The Carolinas

South Carolina

SURFSIDE BEACH

Pedestrian killed early on U.S. 17

Troopers with the S.C Highway Patrol are investigating a crash that killed a Surfside Beach man early Saturday, according to authorities.

James Monroe Johnson, 50, was pronounced dead at 12:48 a.m. Saturday at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center from multiple trauma from being struck by a vehicle, Horry County Deputy Coroner Darris Fowler said.

Members of Johnson’s family could not be reached for comment Saturday.

The crash was reported just after midnight and involved a vehicle hitting a pedestrian on U.S. 17 near S.C. 544, according to authorities. Troopers were continuing their investigation Saturday and additional details about the crash were not immediately available.

MYRTLE BEACH

Armed men rob business, tie up workers

Two armed men tied up two employees and robbed a Myrtle Beach business Friday evening, according to a police report.

The robbers went into a specialty store located at 305 Highway 15 in Myrtle Beach about 5:20 p.m. Friday, police said. The name of the store was not listed in the report.

A 44-year-old man working in the business told officers that two customers were leaving the store when the two robbers walked in, displayed handguns and demanded money, according to the report. The man said the suspects forced him to the ground then they tied his hands behind his back.

A 35-year-old woman, who was in a back room of the business, walked out and the robbers forced her to the ground and tied her hands, according to the report. The robbers empted the man’s pockets and took various items from the store, including cash.

The robbers left the store and about five minutes later a man came into the store and the victims called for help to get untied to call police, according to the report. It was unclear what items were taken from the store during the robbery other than the cash and a cellphone.

MYRTLE BEACH

Shooting was appropriate, report finds

A Connecticut police sergeant acted appropriately when he fatally shot a Myrtle Beach man at a gas station in May 2010, an investigation in that state has concluded.

The report of the state’s attorney for the Judicial District of Ansonia-Milford was issued Friday.

On May 23, police responded to a gas station near Seymour, Conn., after a report of a man who was despondent and possibly armed.

They found Agim Beqiraj, 53, in a sport-utility vehicle parked at the rear of the Mobil property, pointing a gun at himself. He had family in Connecticut, but his last known address was in Myrtle Beach.

Beqiraj had shot himself three times in the face, then aimed the gun at the officers. He ignored repeated orders by the officers to drop his weapon, the report said. Sgt. Stephen Prajer, who was a 17-year veteran of the town force, then shot Beqiraj, according to the report.

CHARLESTON

Boater and dogs rescued by Coast Guard

A South Carolina boater and two dogs are safe after being rescued from the Stono River by the Coast Guard and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.

The Coast Guard says 81-year-old Leon Dover of Johns Island was an overdue boater who was rescued Friday, along with two dogs.

Dover’s daughter notified the Coast Guard on Friday evening that he hadn’t returned home from a fishing trip. Authorities later found Dover and the dogs aboard a disabled 14-foot skiff grounded in a mud flat. A rescue swimmer was lowered and Dover was hoisted and transported the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

AIKEN

PTO treasurer accused of stealing money

A North Augusta Middle School PTO treasurer has been jailed on allegations she took more than $38,000 from the school’s account since she was appointed to oversee the funds in May and used the money without authorization, officials say.

Connie Faye Boisclair surrendered to North Augusta Public Safety officers Friday morning. She is charged with breach of trust.

North Augusta Middle principal Barry Head spoke with the suspect earlier this month by telephone, and she admitted to “misusing” the funds, which she said she used to help her family.

North Carolina

FAYETTEVILLE

Fort Bragg sergeant faces multiple charges after standoff with police

A staff sergeant at Fort Bragg faces 15 counts of attempted first-degree murder after a standoff between him and police at an apartment complex.

Fayetteville police spokesman Gavin MacRoberts said Saturday that Staff Sgt. Joshua Eisenhauer also faces six counts of assaulting a law enforcement officer with a firearm and nine counts of assaulting a government official with a firearm.

The charges were filed after a standoff began Friday night between a man and police, who were called to the apartment complex because firefighters said they couldn’t enter any apartments to respond to a fire call.

MacRoberts said the man shot at officers, who returned fire. When they got into the apartment, they found a man on the kitchen floor.

From wire reports