The investigation into an unrelated pursuit led to the arrest of a murder suspect and two other men on Tuesday. The Sheriff’s Office Traffic and HEAT Teams were operating a checking station at N.C. 904 and Hinson’s Crossroads, Fair Bluff, when the pursuit occurred. The suspect vehicle fled the checkpoint and drove through a lawn at the intersection of Lee and Center streets in Fair Bluff.
Deputies were interviewing residents, the sheriff’s office said in a press release, when they noticed a parked vehicle with several individuals inside at 66 Center Street. On approaching the vehicle deputies detected the scent of marijuana and made contact with the three men inside.
Zireous Zia Green, 19, of Tabor city, was in the rear of the vehicle with a firearm in his pants, the report said. The gun was listed as stolen in Horry County. Byren Ahmar Stephens, 21, the driver, and Ja’Quarius Marquez Bellamy, 22, of Loris, were in the front seat with marijuana, another handgun, digital scales, and other paraphernalia. A records check showed Stephens was wanted on murder charges in 2018 in Robeson County. Green was charged with felony possession of a stolen firearm, and carrying a concealed weapon. He was held under a $5,000 secured bond. Bellamy was charged with maintaining a vehicle for drug activities, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana, and misdemeanor carrying a concealed firearm. His bond was set at $6,000. Stephens was charged with carrying concealed weapon, paraphernalia, maintaining a vehicle for drug activities, and felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana. He was held under no bond, pending transfer to Robeson County on the murder charge.
