Berkeley County, South Carolina — A simple traffic check in Berkeley County turned into a multi-hour search and two arrests when deputies discovered methamphetamine and a handgun inside a vehicle near I-26 and Jedburg Road, according to Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis.
The incident began on Tuesday, when a deputy pulled over a car for malfunctioning equipment and an illegally displayed license plate. As deputies arrived, the passenger, later identified as Tyberius Ra Deas, escaped into a nearby store, triggering a search. The driver, Steven Bruce Benton, remained on the scene, where deputies discovered an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle.
The sheriff’s office reported that a probable cause search turned up a firearm and roughly 15.2 grams of methamphetamine.
Additional deputies were dispatched to find Deas, who had fled on foot. Hours later, a concerned individual provided a tip that led deputies to his location, where he was arrested.
Both Benton and Deas were arrested and charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possessing a weapon while committing a violent felony. Deas is also charged with evading arrest and was found to have an outstanding warrant from the Summerville Police Department.
Sheriff Lewis praised the deputies’ quick response and the public’s support. “This case highlights the importance of vigilance and community cooperation in keeping Berkeley County safe,” the mayor stated in a statement.
