By Stan Welch
Erratic and lewd behavior in public landed a Central man in the Anderson County Detention Center Saturday night and in some very serious trouble as well.
At approximately 10:40 p.m. Saturday night, ACSO Deputy Rodney Anderson was dispatched to the Huddle House at 112 Halter Drive in Piedmont (Powdersville), in reference to a complaint of indecent exposure.
Employees at the restaurant reported that a white male had entered the restaurant. He eventually exposed himself to a waitress and offered her money to fondle him. While at the scene Deputy Anderson received another report from central dispatch of the subject exposing himself at the nearby RiteAid pharmacy at 4355 Highway 153.
Witnesses there reported a man matching the same general description had been seen walking around the store, while exposed. He then exposed himself on the counter as he paid for a pack of cigarettes.
Anderson responded to the scene and intercepted the man in the parking lot. The man, James Caleb Mack, WM, 34, 6’2″, 205 pounds, brn/brn waited until Deputy Anderson exited his cruiser and opened Mack’s car door to remove him from the vehicle. He then placed his Toyota Camry in reverse and accelerated, pinning Anderson between the car door and his cruiser. Anderson managed to barely squeeze past the door as Mack continued to accelerate, striking the cruiser.
Mack went around the pharmacy while Anderson drove his cruiser in the other direction around the building. Mack then rammed Anderson’s cruiser head on, according to the report. Mack was subsequently taken into custody. He was examined by Pelzer Rescue Squad personnel for possible injuries and transported to ACDC for a temporary commitment prior to charges being filed.
He is facing two charges of indecent exposure and possibly a charge of attempted murder, officials said.
