Man Arrested for Threatening Candy Store Employees at Gunpoint Over a Return Dispute
In a shocking incident in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a man has been accused of threatening candy store workers at gunpoint over a dispute centered around a return policy. The accused, identified as Joshua Kim, 36, allegedly went to Sugar Life Ice Cream & Candy Bar where an argument ensued over him wanting to return candy. The events rapidly escalated when one of the staff members informed Kim that they could not refund him, leading to him brandishing a firearm and threatening the store employees.
No Returns on Candy
A manager of Sugar Life commented on the incident, saying that they do not practice returns on candy, which is clearly communicated during the checkout process. According to the employee Edilson Mejia, Kim threatened, “I put a chunk in your head if you don’t bring me back my money, right now. It’s no lie. It’s no lie.” The audacity of this act particularly shook the staff given that the store primarily caters to families and children.
Arrest and Subsequent Charges
The Police confirmed that the review of the surveillance footage from the scene corroborated the employees’ claims. In less than 24 hours, officers arrested both Kim and a woman identified as Chelsie Lowe, 35, at a resort on Ocean Boulevard. What followed was the recovery of 0.41 grams of narcotics identified as cocaine and weed from a truck, leading to additional drug charges for Kim and a single charge for Lowe.
The list of charges against Kim extends beyond drug possession. He was also charged with two counts of pointing and presenting firearms at a person and unlawful conduct toward a child. This last charge was added considering the presence of kids at the time of the incident. The truck where the drugs were discovered is reportedly the same vehicle that Kim and Lowe used to leave another ‘related incident’ with three kids in the car. However, the details of this related incident remain unclear at the moment.
This shocking occurrence has left the community and the country at large reeling over the grim disregard of civility and law displayed by Kim. These crimes pose grave danger to the security and emotional well-being of innocent bystanders like the children present during the incident.
Conclusion
As society at large grapples with increasing incidents of such violent disputes, this episode serves as a stark reminder of the necessity to respect the law and the dignity of one’s fellow citizens. It is hoped that justice will be promptly served in this case, and such disturbing incidents will decrease in our communities.
Stay tuned to HERE News Network for more updates as the investigation unfolds. Copyright 2024 HERE News Network. All rights reserved.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
