Inset: Tajha Soplato Anderson (Horry County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where Tajha Soplato Anderson allegedly assaulted a woman with an e-bike battery after she confronted him over a missing hoodie (Google Maps).
According to local police reports, 28-year-old Tajha Soplato Anderson is alleged to have told the woman, “You’re a liability now,” before launching the assault on September 18 along Ocean Boulevard, as reported by ABC affiliate WPDE.
The victim had approached Anderson to inquire about a hoodie she believed he had taken. This confrontation reportedly triggered Anderson’s violent reaction, which included threatening the woman’s life and physically attacking her, police say. During the assault, Anderson allegedly burned the woman and inflicted severe facial injuries that required surgical intervention. Authorities responded to the scene and transported the victim to a nearby hospital for treatment.
After the attack, Anderson managed to evade capture until October 7. On that day, the victim reportedly recognized him riding an e-bike near Highway 15 and Ellington Street. She immediately informed the police, asserting he was the same individual responsible for her assault, according to WPDE.
Anderson didn’t take kindly to being questioned about the missing piece of clothing and began beating the woman while hurling death threats at her, according to police. He allegedly burned her at one point during the onslaught and left the victim with trauma injuries to her face that required surgery. Police were called to the scene that day and transported her to a local hospital.
Anderson fled after the attack and wouldn’t be seen again until Oct. 7, when the victim allegedly spotted him riding an e-bike in the area of Highway 15 and Ellington Street. She notified police and alleged that it was the same man who assaulted her, according to WPDE.
A traffic stop was attempted, but Anderson wound up fleeing on his e-bike before losing control of it and crashing, per police. He allegedly tried escaping on foot but was caught and taken into custody by officers.
Authorities charged Anderson with assault of a high and aggravated nature and resisting arrest. He was booked at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center and given a $50,000 bond for resisting arrest and no bond for the assault. Court records show that Anderson has had numerous run-ins with law enforcement in Horry County, including drug-related arrests and resisting arrest charges.
Anderson was still behind bars Tuesday awaiting his next court date.
