31-year-old distracts 79-year-old attacker to escape domestic dispute, Conway cops say
A 79-year-old man is accused of assaulting a 31-year-old during a domestic dispute where she had to trick him to escape the home, police say.
Conway police charged Mack Neil Gagum with third-degree assault and battery. He was booked into Horry County’s J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Sunday and freed after posting $2,125 bail. Police initially charged him with kidnapping as well, but a judge found no probable cause and that count was dropped.
Officers went to a Bayside Avenue home around 11:30 p.m. Saturday for a reported domestic issue.
The 31-year-old victim told police that she and Gagum were in her bedroom when Gagum locked the door, according to a police report. The document does not further describe the relationship between the victim and Gagum.
When the victim reached for the door, the 79-year-old yanked on her coat. When she tried again, Gagum pushed her, the report states.
The victim picked up a cell phone to call 911, but the battery was dead, according to the report.
Gagum let the victim out of the room, and then blocked the front door of the home. At the front door, Gagum bumped the victim with his chest, the report states.
The victim then looked out a nearby window, which distracted Gagum long enough for her to run out the door, according to the report.
She ran down the street to a friend’s house, where she called 911, according to the report.
J. Reuben Long Detention Center initially refused to book Gagum into jail, and instead he went to Conway Medical Center. When hospital staff cleared him, he went back to jail.
