MBPD investigates weekend violent crimes

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - During this busy Memorial Day weekend on the Grand Strand, police have seen a number of crime reports coming in.

According to Captain David Knipes with the Myrtle Beach Police Department, one violent crime report came in early Saturday morning and Sunday morning there were five other reports of violent crime as well as numerous incidents reported Monday morning.

At 3:00 a.m. Saturday, police were told that a man was robbed at gun point on 11th Avenue South past Oak Street. Two Black males with semi-automatic pistols were reported to have held up a man, taking $40 and jewelry.

The suspects were described as in their late 20's, early 30's and around 5'10" and 200 lbs. The first had a close cut beard, plain red shirt, red baseball hat with a doo-rag underneath and dark colored pants.

The second suspect was said to have dread-style hair pulled back in a ponytail down to his back with a purple shirt, goatee and an overbite.  Both were said by the victim to have northern accents.

At 4:25 a.m. Sunday, authorities arrived to the scene of 3201 North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach where a woman reported that she and her three male friends were robbed and carjacked at gunpoint behind the Bargain Beachwear by four Black males.

The subjects were all described as thin-build, mid-20's, and between 140-160 lbs. The subject with the gun was said to be wearing a red shirt and had a pronounced gap between his front teeth.  The second subject was said to be wearing a white "wife-beater" shirt, khaki shorts, and a black ball cap.  The third was allegedly also wearing a "wife-beater" and the fourth was possibly wearing a black shirt.

The carjackers were reported to have taken cell phones, wallets, and a black in color 2010 Ford Mustang with NC tag from McCleansville.

[Police provided suspect descriptions in brief written summaries that did not include the race of the suspects. Full police reports were not immediately available.]

At 4:30 a.m. Sunday, a man and his wife were riding back to their motel when they stopped at a stop sign and were allegedly assaulted and robbed on Yaupon Avenue between 13th and 17th Avenue South.  The man reported being stabbed in his side and his necklace taken.  EMS was called when he returned to the motel.  No suspect could be identified due to the large number of people around at the time.

Myrtle Beach Police are also investigating two people in area hospitals that came in with gunshot wounds.  A person treated at Grand Strand Regional and a patient at Waccamaw Hospital both reported being injured in the area of 9th Avenue and Ocean Boulevard.  Neither person knew the other, nor did they know who fired the shot or why.

The victim at Grand Strand Regional had a shot in his thigh and the Waccamaw Hospital victim had shrapnel in his leg.  Surveillance video shows a commotion occurring in the vicinity around 4:30 a.m., but further investigations are needed at this time.

At 9:30 p.m. Sunday, three people coming out of the Bar Harbor Motel in Myrtle Beach notified police that they were robbed at gunpoint by three black males.  The victims told police the subjects were in one of the rooms.

When police entered, they discovered two people matching the victim's descriptions and found a stolen pistol as well as marijuana.  The two men were placed under arrest for possession with intent to distribute and warrants will be issued regarding the armed robbery.

At 11:36 p.m. Sunday, a white female approached a security employee at Family Kingdom and claimed she was raped by several black males.  Shortly after being told to call the police, the security worker said he witnessed the same woman with a white male approach the victims.  The man pointed a shotgun at the victims.  The victims fled and declined further police involvement.

Between 2:30 and 3 a.m. Monday, Myrtle Beach Police responded to an armed robbery call on Yaupon Drive between 12th and 13th Avenue South.  The victim claims he and his friend were robbed at gunpoint by two black males wearing all black clothing with bandanas over their faces.  Approximately $40 and jewelry was reportedly taken.

Just after 3:15 a.m., Myrtle Beach Police responded to an armed robbery that occurred at Mr. Joe White Avenue and Chester Street.  One officer saw two possible suspects, which led to a foot chase resulting in two arrests.  The victim positively identified the two subjects as involved in the robbery.  A K-9 unit was able to produce a discarded pistol that matched the one allegedly used in the robbery. Both suspects deny involvement in the robbery.

At around 4 a.m. Monday at the beach access of 26th Avenue South, people told police they were robbed at gunpoint by two black males, who took money and jewelry and took off on foot.  No further description was given besides one wearing a white shirt, and one was wearing a black shirt.

Just before 4:30 Monday morning, a taxi driver for Beachside Cab said he was sleeping in his van at the Greyhound bus station on 7th Avenue North when two subjects hit him and demanded money.  They then allegedly pointed a handgun at the taxi driver and threatened him. The victim gave the subjects over $300 before being hit again.

The victim describes the first subject as a 6 foot very thin black male with tight corn rows, no facial hair and a pointy face.  He was said to be wearing a baggy white t-shirt and faded black denim jeans. The second subject was said to be a similar build wearing a green shirt.  The two subjects were last seen leaving on foot eastbound towards Kings Highway.

Anyone with information regarding any of these crimes should call Myrtle Beach Police.  WMBF News will provide more details as they become available.

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