South Congaree Police Officer arrest suspect after short struggle in Citgo parking lot

South Congaree, SC (Paul Kirby) – A South Congaree police officer arrested the passenger of a car he had stopped for a traffic violation after a brief struggle with the suspect. This all happened in the parking lot of the Citgo gas station on Main Street around 1:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

According to South Congaree Police Chief Josh Shumpert, Officer Stone was on patrol in the town when he initiated a traffic stop. The car he pulled over turned into the parking lot of the convenience store before coming to a stop.

When the officer approached the vehicle, one of the passengers in the rear seat jumped out of the car and attempted to flee on foot. Officer Stone quickly caught the suspect, but that individual struggled with the officer in an attempt to escape. That individual was eventually subdued and was placed under arrest.

A search of the suspect revealed that he was in possession of marijuana. He had also been carrying a pistol on his person, but he left that in the car when he fled.

The suspect has now been charged with resisting arrest, unlawful carrying of a firearm, disorderly conduct, and possession of marijuana. He was booked into the Lexington County Detention Center early this morning where he is awaiting a bond hearing. The driver and other occupants of the vehicle were released because they weren’t guilty of anything more than a traffic offense and they cooperated and complied with the officer during the stop.

According to Chief Shumpert, Officer Stone’s uniform was torn, and he received some minor scrapes during the fight with the suspect. There were no significant injuries reported to the arrested suspect.

South Congaree’s officer was assisted by officers from the Springdale Police Department who responded as backup.