The Newberry Police Department reported the following incidents:
• Tyrell Sanders, 21, of 1935 Drayton St. #1919, Newberry, was charged Feb. 28 with drug/narcotic violations and possession of a stolen weapon after an officer observed the headlight of a passing Honda Accord was out and conducted a traffic stop. The officer noticed a digital scale slipping out of the pocket of the driver, later identified as Sanders. A full search of the vehicle was conducted which revealed a Smith & Wesson 40-caliber pistol under the passenger seat and 7.3 grams of crack cocaine between the driver’s seat and center console.
• Derend Summers, 35, of 2115 Charles St., Newberry, was charged Feb. 27 with drug/narcotic violation, resisting arrest and failure to stop for blue lights after an officer spotted a 1998 Lincoln sedan with a license plate under suspension. When the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop the vehicle fled and several officers were called in to pursue. After a lengthy chase the vehicle pulled over next to a cemetery on Havird Street and the driver and passenger exited the vehicle and fled in opposite directions. The officer positively identified Summers based on prior interactions. A perimeter was established and K-9 officer Percy was deployed. Percy tracked Summers to a garage on the corner of Langford Street and Boundary Street but officers found only his abandoned hat. There are currently eight warrants out for Summers’ arrest.
• Markevius Jessie, 25, of 414 Wright St., Newberry, was charged Feb. 22 with shoplifting and trespassing after an officer spoke with Walmart employees who had observed Jessie remove a power pack from its packaging and conceal it in his pants. Jessie then entered the restroom with a pair of earphones and exited without them. When he attempted to leave the store he was stopped by loss prevention staff. Walmart informed the officer they wished to press charges and it was discovered Jessie had previously been placed on trespass.
• Herbert Pugh, 34, of 520 Lowndes Hill Road, Greenville, was charged Feb. 22 with bank robbery after robbing the BB&T on Wilson Road. After Pugh was placed in handcuffs, Pugh attempted to remove his shoes. The officer asked Pugh why he was doing so to which he responded: “Y’all got me. I did it. I robbed the bank and the money is in my boots.” Pugh’s boots were removed and the money fell out.
• Felix Benitez, 28, of 114 Pintail Point, Newberry, was charged with driving under the influence Feb. 27 after an officer clocked a Ford SUV travelling at 63 mph in 45 mph zone. After conducting a traffic stop the officer smelled the odor of alcohol emanating from Benitez’s person and noted his speech was slurred. A field sobriety test was conducted and it was determined that Benitez was intoxicated. He was transported to the Newberry County Detention Center where he blew a 0.20 percent.