A South Carolina police detective was arrested after authorities say he pulled his department-issued gun on a fellow officer during an argument over fish being heated in the office microwave.
Michael DeBiase, 46, was charged Tuesday with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person, according to the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division.
The bizarre incident allegedly happened May 30 inside Myrtle Beach Police Department headquarters on North Oak Street.
According to an arrest warrant, DeBiase confronted a patrol officer about “warming up fish in the microwave,” which allegedly caused an odor in the office.
The confrontation then allegedly escalated far beyond an office food complaint.
“Detective DeBiase confronted [the fellow cop] about … warming up fish in the microwave, causing an odor in the office,” the warrant states. “During the confrontation, Detective DeBiase drew and pointed his department-issued handgun at [the fellow cop].”
The Myrtle Beach Police Department said the alleged incident involved DeBiase removing his department-issued firearm from its holster while inside the department’s briefing room.
After the incident, DeBiase was immediately placed on administrative leave while the department’s Office of Professional Standards and SLED investigated.
The department later said multiple policy violations were identified during its internal investigation.
Myrtle Beach police announced that DeBiase’s employment had been “separated” after the incident, saying he violated department policy.
“The alleged incident involved DeBiase removing his department-issued firearm from its holster while in the PD briefing room,” the department said in a Facebook post.
Officials said the detective’s alleged actions did not reflect the values of the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
“However, it does demonstrate our commitment to accountability and our willingness to address conduct that falls short of our expectations,” the department said.
SLED launched its investigation at the request of the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
DeBiase was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County and is expected to be prosecuted by the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
He has since been released on a $5,000 bond.
The case has stunned many because of how quickly a workplace complaint over a microwave odor allegedly turned into a criminal accusation involving a police-issued weapon.
