Two Ladson men arrested after student says he was beaten with gun

Two men were arrested after a student said he was beaten with a gun because they thought the student was involved in a robbery.

The 19-year-old Lasdon student told Charleston County Sheriff’s deputies he was beaten and robbed Sept. 18 near Midview Drive and Farmwood Street in the Woodside subdivision by two men who thought he was involved in a theft earlier in the day, according to the incident report.

Melonard A. Bennett, 33, of Farmwood Street in Ladson was arrested at a probation meeting Monday, Charleston County Sheriff’s Maj. Jim Brady said.

Bennett was on probation for possessing cocaine base, according to Charleston County court records.

Steven R. McPherson, 22, was arrested today at his house on Davidson Road in Ladson by U.S. Marshals and Berkeley County Sheriff’s deputies, according to the incident report.

The victim told investigators that Bennett hit him twice in the face with a gun, McPherson took his cell phone, then Bennett dragged him across the street and hit him two more times in the face with a gun, according to a detective’s affidavit.

Bennett and McPherson were charged with armed robbery, first-degree assault and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. They are being held in the Charleston County jail.

Bennett’s total bail was set at $100,000. McPherson has a bond hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Reach Dave Munday at 937-5553 or twitter.com/dmunday.