SOUTH CAROLINA — A multi-agency chase across Horry County ended Tuesday morning with the arrest of a 54-year-old man, authorities said.
Deputies with the Horry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 8:30 a.m. to a home on Church Street in Myrtle Beach to locate Billy Hanna, who had an outstanding warrant for obtaining goods under false pretenses.
Deputies saw Hanna leaving the home with a female passenger and attempted to stop his vehicle after he made an improper turn onto Highway 17 Bypass, but he initially refused to pull over.
The chase carried through multiple areas, including the Cobblestone apartments, Robert Grissom Parkway, Highway 90, Highway 22, and Highway 17 into North Myrtle Beach. Hanna drove recklessly, weaving through traffic and disregarding traffic signals.
The female passenger told officers Hanna had a gun and suicidal tendencies. During the pursuit, deputies reported seeing Hanna wave a black object resembling a firearm from his car window.
Hanna continued the chase onto South Ocean Boulevard, including a parking garage, before spike strips punctured his front left tire on 33rd Avenue South. He eventually entered the Inlet Point Villas complex, driving through bushes and onto a sidewalk before stopping behind a building.
Authorities said Hanna refused to exit the vehicle and flashed a firearm at officers, prompting them to draw their weapons. He later surrendered after deputies broke the window; the firearm was confirmed to be a BB gun.
Hanna was taken into custody without further incident and is being held at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. He faces charges of grand larceny of over $10,000 and failure to stop for blue lights. The investigation remains ongoing.
