Former SC police chief’s gun found in drug arrest

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — A handgun that former North Myrtle Beach police chief William Bailey said was stolen from his pickup truck has been recovered in a drug-related arrest.

Police say 34-year-old Kashief Spain of Myrtle Beach was arrested Nov. 14 and faces drug and weapons charges. A police report says Spain threw a handgun out of the vehicle during a pursuit.

The gun was recovered but officials don’t know how Spain got it. He was in prison when the gun was taken from Bailey’s unlocked truck in 2009.

Horry County police say they cannot confirm it’s the same gun. But the serial number matches the one Bailey provided when he reported the gun was stolen.

Bailey was forced to retire last year and has sued the city for defamation.