CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Charleston man faces charges based on an incident during which he is reported to have been harassing customers and employees at a Kanawha County Go-Mart establishment on Monday.
As reported by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, February 27, 2023, Sheriff’s Deputy T.A. Casto was dispatched to the 1520 Greenbrier Street Go-Mart in Charleston following complaints to 911 of a man harassing customers and employees in the parking lot.
Deputy Casto was able to locate the subject walking a short distance away from the business and advised him that he was being trespassed from the property and not to return.
The subject – later identified as Stephen L. Hughes, 30-years-old of Charleston, WV – did not acknowledge Deputy Casto despite the verbal warning and lawful orders to stop.
Deputy Casto then advised Hughes that he was being arrested, at which time Hughes continued to resist and fight with the officer, resulting in both men falling to the ground as a struggle ensued.
Backup was en route as Deputy Casto continued to engage in the struggle with Hughes, when two unknown citizens reportedly stopped their vehicles to assist the officer as he gained control and secured the subject inside his vehicle.
Resistance from the subject is reported to have continued as Hughes not only refused to cooperate with fingerprint proceedings after being detained but also refused to cooperate with the Kanawha County Magistrate for the arraignment process.
Hughes faces a number of charges based on the incident including one count of Criminal Trespass, one count of Obstructing an Officer, and one count of Failure to Fingerprint. The Kanawha County Magistrate has ordered that Hughes be confined at South Central Regional Jail due to his current state of mind.
Another attempt at proceeding with an arraignment and setting of bond is anticipated to occur on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
“The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office would like to commend the two brave citizens who made a heroic choice today to help our deputy in need, before a bad situation could possibly turn worse,” said the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office in a statement.
“Unfortunately, the two citizens returned to their daily business and left the scene before they could be identified, but [nonetheless] they deserve our gratitude and appreciation.”
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