Weapons, four-wheeler recovered in state line ATV, car chase

Samantha Kirsch (J. Reuben Long photo)
Samantha Kirsch (J. Reuben Long photo)

Deputies arrested an Horry County woman and recovered two handguns, brass knuckles and an ATV after a chase back and forth across the state line Tuesday.

Samantha Elizabeth Kirsch faces charges of felony fleeing to elude arrest, conspiracy to commit felony larceny, and several traffic violations in the case. She was placed under a secured bond. Additional charges are pending, according to the sheriff’s office.

A deputy responding to a report about a stolen four wheeler on Bayside Drive spotted the ATV on old Tram Road, the sheriff’s office said, and attempted to stop the vehicle. The ATV went into a soybean field off Lebanon Church Road, then stopped in a wooded area, where the male driver fled on foot.

The county’s tracking dog, Cooper, was deployed, but the dog lost the trail when the tracking team came to a flooded area. K-9 Cooper did find a handgun, a knife, two shoes and a hat.

While interviewing witnesses, deputies discovered that a Dodge Charger was spotted near the victim’s residence. A deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description of the car on Bayside Drive and attempted to perform a traffic stop, but the Charger, driven by Kirsch, fled the scene at more than 120 miles per hour, driving through a stop sign.

The pursuit went into South Carolina, then back into North Carolina. The chase ended when the car broke down at the intersection of Sandy Bluff Road and S.C. 410.

Kirsch and a male passenger were detained.

Horry county Police took Kirsch into custody on a charge of possession of an open container of alcohol, and transported her to the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. HCPD also towed the Charger.

Columbus County deputies obtained a search warrant for the car, and recovered another handgun, brass knuckles, beer cans, and another knife.

The investigation is continuing, and additional charges are expected.

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About Jefferson Weaver 1386 Articles
Jefferson Weaver is the Managing Editor of Columbus County News and the News Director for WTXY AM1540 & Kool 103.9FM Radio. He can be reached at (910) 632-4965, or by email at jeffersonweaver@ColumbusCountyNews.com.