Charleston police nab man on gun charges

Charleston police arrested a Summerville man on gun charges Tuesday afternoon after he led them on a foot chase in the downtown area.

Byron Christopher Kinsey, 26, of Congress Street is charged with unlawful carrying of a handgun, unlawful possession of a handgun by a felon, possession of a stolen handgun, public disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and riding the wrong way on a one-way street, police said.

When police tried to stop Kinsey for riding his bicycle the wrong way on one-way Jackson Street, he took off on the bike, police spokesman Charles Francis said.

The officers attempted to stop Kinsey, who rode toward Harris Street until he reached Stuart Street, Francis said.

There, he jumped off the bicycle and discarded a handgun next to it, Francis said.

Officers grabbed the bicycle and the pistol. Then they nabbed Kinsey inside 76 Stuart St., Francis said.

Kinsey, who is on probation for failing to stop for a blue light, is being held in the Cannon Detention Center, Francis said.