Here’s a story you don’t see every day. Millard Strickland of South Carolina led police on an extended chase–aboard his black moped. It was only later that the police discovered his rather absurd assortment of cargo. And you could say it had them scratching their whiskers.
Here’s how the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office tells it: a deputy was driving along Highway 123 when it noticed the black moped. It was an odd sight on the highway, so the deputy called in its plates. Dispatch had some surprising news: there were multiple warrants out for 40-year-old Millard Jerome Strickland Jr. So naturally, the deputy wanted to talk to the driver. He flipped on his lights. That’s when things got hairy.
Instead of stopping, the moped on the highway sped up. After a bit of a chase, Strickland pulled off the road and into a business’ parking lot where he took a moment’s paws. The police officer, still following along, directed the driver to get off the moped. Perhaps Strickland was shocked to realize the deputy was still there. Or maybe he just needed a breather. Whatever the reason, Strickland floored it and took off again. Just as fast as a loaded moped can go.
After an extended game of cat and mouse, the deputy’s colleagues were able to box Strickland in. The man got off the moped and fled.
The discovery of the kitten in the moped
The police weren’t toying with him. After they pounced on Strickland they tried to put the cuffs on him. But out came the claws, and the suspect fought them for a while. Eventually, they were able to get the man into custody.
First off, the police were shocked to find a gun on Strickland’s person. Not only that, they ran its serial number and found it had been reported stolen. Strickland also had a purple bag around his neck which was full of drugs.
At this point, the police officers must have been a bit worried about what they’d find in the moped’s trunk. But they popped it open anyway. Inside was another gun. And a kitten. Strickland hadn’t even bothered to grab the animal when he made a break for it.
Strickland was taken to the hospital for a check up after his extended struggle with the police. The cat was taken to animal control. But while the kitten is allowed to stay there, Strickland was hustled off to detention after a clean bill of health. He’s being charged with trafficking drugs, evading police, carrying stolen goods, carrying a gun illegally, and resisting arrest. It seems South Carolina is going easy on him for terrorizing that poor kitty.
