Homeless Man Drinking “Rubbing Alcohol” Temporarily Eludes Cop

A homeless man was jailed after vandalizing an apartment and fleeing from a cop, according to Summerville Police reports.

Cops were called to Downs Apartments Sunday evening when a homeless man allegedly knocked out a window. The homeless man was identified as 54-year-old Bryon Neil Ashmore, according to Police Officer David Westbrooks.

“Witnesses on the scene stated that Ashmore was intoxicated at the time of the incident and was drinking rubbing alcohol because he couldn’t afford regular alcohol,” Officer Westbrooks stated.

Ashmore left the apartment complex before cops arrived. He was later spotted, however, walking across the Fred’s Pharmacy parking lot on Hwy. 48. When Ashmore spotted cops getting close, he fled toward railroad tracks behind Fred’s. The officer lost sight of Ashmore around the Black and Meek Feed Store.

“A short time later [I] again observed the suspect in the area of Black and Meek Feed Store and again, upon seeing [me], fled on foot and refused to stop when told. [Ashmore] went under the feed center open doorway near the feed silos and was able to get out of the area before [I] could reach him.”

After losing sight of Ashmore again, Officer Westbrooks waited in the area and watched.  Ashmore appeared again at Black and Meek and this time the officer was able to sneak up and arrest him.

“Ashmore was found to be in possession of a bottle of running alcohol and a Coke to make the drink with it at the time of arrest,” Officer Westbrooks stated.

 

Ashmore was arrested for vandalism, disorderly conduct, public intoxication and prowling, according to jail reports.