Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Westminster Man after Deputy Hears Gun Shots

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------A deputy from the Uniform Patrol Bureau of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, on routine patrol in the Utica Mill Hill area early Tuesday morning, arrested a Westminster man after hearing gunshots.

18 year old Anton Joseph Bertich, of Anderson Avenue, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 5:57am yesterday. After receiving a combined $101,087.50 surety bond, during a bond hearing, Bertich was released from jail this morning after posting bond.

Bertich was charged with one count each of Breach of Peace – Aggravated in Nature, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Unlawful Carrying of a Pistol, Possession of a Pistol with the Serial Number Removed or Obliterated, and Assaulting a Police Officer while Resisting Arrest. Bertich was also charged with three counts of Resisting Arrest.

While on patrol in the area of Ames Street and Hope Avenue near Seneca early yesterday morning, a deputy began an investigation after hearing gunshots in the area. A deputy observed a 2014 silver Nissan Sentra driving fast from Hoyt Street onto Hope Avenue and then onto Padgett Street.

The deputy located the vehicle at an address on Padgett Street and made contact with the driver, identified as Bertich. A second deputy observed a liquor bottle and a spent shell casing inside of the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle produced a quantity of Methamphetamine along with firearm, a 9mm handgun, that was spray painted, had a scratched off serial number, and was loaded with a bullet in the chamber of the gun. Ammunition was also recovered from the vehicle.

Bertich was placed under arrest and placed into the backseat of a Deputy’s vehicle. However, Bertich began yelling and hitting his head on the cage in the back of the vehicle. After Bertich was removed from the vehicle, he kicked a Deputy in the head while struggling with other Deputy’s and yelling profanities.

After re-securing Bertich in the back seat, he was transported to jail. A female passenger in the vehicle was released from the scene.

According to arrest warrants, Bertich discharged a firearm multiple times from the vehicle on the Utica Mill Hill.