Deputies make arrest after report of a man with a gun at a Midlands grocery store

Richland Co., S.C. (WOLO)– Richland Co. deputies say a man was arrested after reports of a suspicious person with a gun.

Investigators say on July 4th around 11:30am deputies responded to Publix on Hardscrabble Rd. after people reported a man armed with a rifle sitting in a car.

When deputies arrived they say they found Jimmear Starks in his car that smelled of marijuana.

Upon searching the car, deputies say they found the rifle as well as another gun and a large amount of drugs.

Deputies say the rifle was reported stolen from Charlotte.

Investigators say Starks is  charged with Unlawful Possession of a Sawed Off Rifle, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.

“This is an excellent example of ‘see something, say something’”, says Sheriff Lott, “thanks to a concerned citizen that was willing to speak up, we were able to recover a stolen firearm and narcotics that would’ve otherwise been sent into our community.”