FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — On Thursday, law enforcement apprehended a man from Florence due to pending arrest warrants related to an alleged assault and a reported kidnapping incident, according to Captain Stephen Starling.
Elijah Hameed Harkless, aged 23, has been accused of multiple offenses including two counts of third-degree assault and battery, theft, abduction, second-degree assault and battery, and harassment. Currently, he is detained at the Florence County Detention Center.
Based on an arrest warrant, on January 30th, Harkless visited a business in Florence to confront the victim as he was upset about "their breakup." In consideration of their privacy, News13 has decided not to disclose the victim’s workplace.
He trailed the victim into the restricted stockroom and shoved her from behind, making her tumble onto some cartons, as Starling recounted. Harkless subsequently got into an argument with the victim and even spat at another staff member prior to departing the location.
On March 1, Harkless traveled to a different location where the victim worked, as Starling mentioned. In an effort to protect the individual's privacy, News13 has decided once more not to disclose the specific workplace.
Harkless shut the door after himself and reportedly attacked the victim and took her phone to prevent her from contacting law enforcement, according to an arrest warrant. He also hindered the victim’s attempt to exit the room, and subsequently departed before the authorities were alerted.
On Thursday, the Florence Police Department received information indicating that Harkless had returned to one of the victims' workplaces, searching for her once more. Consequently, he was apprehended based on the earlier charges against him.
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Jordan White serves as a Digital Producer at News13. She became part of the News13 team in August 2024. Originally from Myrtle Beach, Jordan attended St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a alumna of Coker University. You can follow Jordan on social media. Facebook , X, formerly Twitter and explore more of her writing here .
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