When a North Charleston police officer approached a stolen car Wednesday afternoon, the last thing the officer expected to find was a 3 year old holding a gun.

According to police, the child grabbed what turned out to be a BB gun from the center console as an officer approached the car. The child safely handed it over to the officer while saying "gun, gun."

The child was found in a stolen red Montero sport car with a Utah license plate. The car was located in the area of Remount and Yeamans Hall Road. According to police, the child's father, 23-year-old Terrence Myers, was driving the car.

In court Thursday, bond was set for Myers at $25,000 on three charges. Myers received a $5,000 bond for possession of marijuana, $10,000 for possession of a stolen vehicle and $10,000 for unlawful neglect of child.

The incident began around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday when an officer received a call regarding a stolen car in the patrol area, a police report states. The officer turned around to verify the license plate number, but as the police car turned around, the suspect, later identified as Myers, made an abrupt turn onto Read Street.

Police say Myers pulled into a driveway on Reid Street and jumped over an 8-foot fence in the backyard. Investigators used K-9 units to try and locate the suspect.

During the search, two women approached police and said that Myers called the mother of the child and she asked the two women to pick up her child. Officers asked the mother to come to the scene for questioning.

Police later located Myers at a home on Cliffton Street and he was placed under arrest. Police found a gram of marijuana in his front pocket. According to police, Myers said he ran because he did not have a license and because he had marijuana in his possession.

Myers has a long criminal history that goes back to 2006 when he was convicted of common law robbery and strong armed robbery.

In Oct. 2007, Myers was arrested and charged with manufacture and possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute, distribution of crack cocaine, unlawful carrying of a weapon, resisting arrest and second degree burglary.

In June 2008, Myers was convicted of possession of meth or cocaine base and unlawful carrying of a weapon. In May 2008, Myers violated the conditions of his parole.

Myers was arrested again in Sept. 2009 when he was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of hypodermic needles and syringes. A month later, he was charged with burglary, breaking into auto tanks where fuel is stored and weapon sale / possession of stolen gun.

In Jan. 2010, Myers violated parole again. Then, in June, he was arrested and charged with possession of meth or cocaine base, resisting arrest and littering.

Source: WCSC