Surfside Beach police officers arrested a Myrtle Beach man Tuesday evening after the man struck one of the officers, fled on foot, and then drew a revolver from his waistband, according to a news release from Police Chief Mike Frederick.
The suspect and an officer were injured during an ensuing struggle, Frederick said. Both were treated at local area hospitals and released later Tuesday evening.
Omar Shareef Steele, 28, has been charged with assault on officers while resisting arrest, felon in possession of firearm, carrying concealed weapon, unlawful possession of weapon/ammunition, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana (2nd or subsequent offense), possession of cocaine with intent near school or park, possession of marijuana with intent near school or park, and financial transaction card theft.
Steele appeared before a municipal judge Thursday for a bond hearing; he was remanded back to the county jail pending a $62,000 cash/surety bond, Frederick said.
Steele's arrest comes after two Surfside Beach police officers had stopped the vehicle Steele was driving when they saw evidence of possible illegal drug activity within the vehicle.
When they ordered Steele from the car, he struck one officer and fled on foot, Frederick said. The second officer chased Steele down and tackled him in a commercial parking lot about one block from the original assault.
Steele continued to assault the officer, and when the other officer arrived seconds later he shot Steele with a Taser, Frederick said.
Steele then pulled a revolver from his waistband, but threw it down when officers drew their sidearms. After a second shot from the Taser, Steele was finally subdued and handcuffed, Frederick said.
Steele suffered multiple lacerations and contusions, and was treated for a fractured bone at a local hospital. One of the officers suffered moderate lacerations to a hand and leg, Frederick said. During the search subsequent to Steele's arrest, officers located five bags of suspected marijuana, one bag of suspected cocaine, and stolen credit cards. The handgun and a sum of cash were seized at the scene as well.
Late Tuesday evening, investigators, who had determined that Steele had been enroute to a storage warehouse in Surfside Beach, executed a search warrant at the warehouse and recovered an additional firearm there, Frederick said.
Contact JANELLE FROST at 443-2404.
Copyright 2011 - The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
