Warrants: City cameras help track down man accused of stabbing woman near Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) – Police arrested a man who they said stabbed a woman in the neck near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.

Officers were called Saturday night to the area of 3rd Avenue North and the Boardwalk for a stabbing.

An arrest warrant shows that police found the 43-year-old victim at a nearby hotel with a stab wound to her neck. She was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The incident report states that she wasn’t able to identify the attacker at the time, but city cameras were able to spot him and track him down to 8th Avenue North and Chester Street.

Police took Rick Romig into custody in connection with the stabbing.

He is charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

A judge did not set a bond for Romig on the attempted murder charge. As of Wednesday, he’s being held at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

Those charges are alarming to business owners and visitors as safety is a top concern leading into the 4th of July holiday weekend.

“I’m a little concerned about the safety. I mean the law enforcement, they do a good job around here, and I’m proud of them,” said Mac Williams, a visitor of Myrtle Beach for 30 years. “Things have tightened up a little bit. I feel safe now than what I did a few years ago.”

Others who live near the boardwalk said they’re used to seeing crimes take place here.

“It was horrible around here,” said Sylvia Shirley, whos’ been in the area for 50 years as a business owner. “They were doing everything in front of my house, on the street and everything. Ever since they’ve closed that and some of Blake’s Motel, it’s not operating like it did last year. This street is much better.”

She said the rise of homelessness and panhandling concerns her.

“People taking advantage of your property and abusing it is a real problem,” Shirley added.

As the holiday weekend approaches, residents and visitors say they’re counting on police to keep the crime at bay.

“I feel safe for people coming down this time. A lot more law presence around and I think they’re aware of the situation, and I think they’re aware of the situation and they’re trying to get a handle on it. So I would tell people to come,” said Williams.

“As far as tourists coming in town, you just have to be careful everywhere,” said Shirley.

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