Man Accused of Holding Candy Store Workers at Gunpoint Over Return Dispute in Myrtle Beach
There was tension and fear at a candy store in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as a man was accused of holding workers at gunpoint. Joshua Kim, a 36-year-old male, got into a heated exchange with two workers at the Sugar Life Ice Cream & Candy Bar over what appeared to be an issue with returning candy.
The Confrontation
According to arrest warrants, when one of the employees communicated that refunds were not possible, Kim allegedly pulled out a gun and threatened the two workers. The horrifying incident left a significant impact on the victims.
“He said, ‘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,'” shared one of the employees, Edilson Mejia. As stated by the manager of Sugar Life, the store has a clear policy of not accepting returns on candy, communicated to customers during the transaction.
Witnesses and Arrest
This chilling encounter transpired in front of other startled customers, including children who had walked in for sweet enjoyment. Relaying how the incident affected him, Mejia expressed, “This is a candy store for families, for kids.”
Shortly after police reviewed surveillance footage, which validated the narratives shared by the employees, they apprehended Kim and a 35-year-old female, Chelsie Lowe, at a resort on Ocean Boulevard that evening. Upon searching their truck parked at the resort, the law enforcement team found 0.41 grams of cocaine and weed inside, which led to drug charges being imposed on both Kim and Lowe.
Following Charges
Beyond charges related to drugs, Kim also faces two counts for pointing and presenting firearms at a person and for unlawful conduct towards a child. The truck Kim and Lowe were using during the incident was filled with three children, as it was the same vehicle they departed a “related incident” in, as per the arrest warrants. However, the details of this “related incident” remain undisclosed.
In light of these charges and the mounting evidence, both individuals find themselves in a predicament that stretches far beyond a dispute over candy returns.
Any further developments in this case will be reported by HERE News Network. Stay tuned for more updates.
