Charleston Police arrested a suspect after responding to a reported kidnapping at an apartment complex in West Ashley on March 1, 2026. Officers arrived at The Waters at West Ashley, located at 1900 Hazelwood Drive, around 5:30 p.m.
According to police, the victim said she argued with her boyfriend and tried to leave when the suspect grabbed her hair and pulled her back into the apartment. The suspect allegedly struck her with a handgun and took several belongings, including car keys.
Police say the suspect then fled into a neighboring apartment without permission from its residents. Officers surrounded the unit and ordered everyone inside to exit. The suspect eventually left through a window and was taken into custody by officers. Authorities recovered the victim’s property and found a handgun fitted with a machine gun conversion device, known as a “switch,” inside the residence.
Detectives identified the suspect as Jalen Stuckey, age 20, of Charleston. He faces charges including strong arm robbery; assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature; kidnapping; first-degree burglary; two counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a violent crime; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; unlawful possession of a machine gun; and possession of a firearm by someone convicted of a felony.
Stuckey is being held at Al Cannon Detention Center. At the time of his arrest, he was under supervision by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Charleston Police Department detectives at 843-720-2422 or submit tips online at www.charleston-sc.gov/tips.
The City of Charleston is recognized for its historical significance through sites such as the Old Slave Mart Museum that address aspects like the domestic slave trade (https://www.charleston-sc.gov/160/Old-Slave-Mart-Museum). In addition to preserving history, city efforts focus on improving quality of life for residents in collaboration with regional government entities (https://www.charleston-sc.gov/403/Mission-Values). The city’s jurisdiction includes areas surrounding Charleston Harbor within the broader Charleston–North Charleston–Summerville region (https://www.charleston-sc.gov/2010/History).
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