The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, S.C. - Lexington Police Chief Stace Banks Day was arrested Friday and charged with criminal domestic violence, authorities said.
Day, 41, was arrested at his Columbia home about 2:50 a.m. He was later released from the Lexington County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond.
Day is taking paid annual leave and assistant chief Terrence Green will take over as acting chief, Mayor Randy Halfacre and town administrator Jim Duckett said Friday.
“It’s always unfortunate to hear those kind of things,” Halfacre said. “But he’s innocent until proven guilty.”
According to an incident report from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, Day’s mother-in-law called police because Day and his wife were fighting over the wife’s decision to leave town with her children.
The mother-in-law said Day tried to keep his wife from leaving by taking her driver’s license and other identification from her wallet, taking her keys and hiding her minivan away from the house. The couple’s daughter also told police that her father pushed her mother to the ground causing the mother to lose consciousness, according to the report.
The mother-in-law told police the house’s front door had been kicked in.
Day’s wife told investigators she was afraid for her life and that she had to leave town before Day was released from jail, the report said.
No telephone listing for Day could be found. It was unclear whether he had an attorney.