Update 08/22/2011: suspects arrested     Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced the arrests of Kenyone Bannister (DOB: 04/18/88) and Demetrius Dwight (DOB: 08/01/91) wanted for Robbery, Kidnapping/Abduction of a 2 year old girl.

Early Tuesday afternoon at the 7000 block of Garners Ferry Road on August 9, 2011, Bannister was arrested by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Investigators – Upon further investigation and community involvement the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Task Force arrested Dwight on Rosewood Drive near Harden Street on Monday, August 22, 2011 just before noon.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department Forensics Unit played a key role in solving this case. Bannister’s DNA was left inside the stolen vehicle which connected him to the crime.

Bannister was a classmate of the mother of the 2 year old victim from elementary through high school – she stated she hadn’t seen him in years and was not able to identify him the night of the incident.

At 9:55 PM Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 207 Sagemont Drive, Hopkins, SC Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a kidnapping call. The complainant/victim states that two unknown black males took her vehicle while her daughter (victim #2) was in the back seat of the vehicle in her car seat. The complainant stated she and her husband stopped at the incident location to speak to a family member for a brief moment. The complainant adds that she and her husband left their 2 year old daughter in the vehicle with it running because she was asleep.

Bannister and Dwight were arrested and transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, the investigation continues and more arrests are possible.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott is requesting the community’s assistance in identifying suspects wanted for Robbery, Kidnapping/Abduction.

Sheriff Leon Lott states that at 9:55 PM Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 207 Sagemont Drive, Hopkins, SC Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a kidnapping call.

The complainant/victim states that two unknown black males took her vehicle while her daughter (victim #2) was in the back seat of the vehicle in her car seat. The complainant stated she and her husband stopped at the incident location to speak to a family member for a brief moment. The complainant adds that she and her husband left their 2 year old daughter in the vehicle with it running because she was asleep.

Sheriff Leon Lott states that the complainant noticed the vehicle headlights come on and she and the family ran to the front door—the complainant stated that two black males both pointed handguns and yelled at them to not come further and backed the vehicle out of the driveway.

Sheriff Leon Lott stated that at 11:50 PM, a patrol deputy located the stolen vehicle and found the 2 year old baby girl unharmed at Hopkins Elementary School (6120 Cabin Creek Road, Hopkins). EMS was called to the scene as a precaution and the child was released on the scene to the mother.

Sheriff Leon Lott states that suspect number one is described as a black male in his late teens to early – early twenties, dark skin, thin build, approximately 5’9 – 5-10, last seen wearing a red baseball cap and dark clothing. Suspect number two is described as a black male, in his late teens to early twenties, slender build, approximately 6 feet tall, weighs around 165 pounds, and last seen wearing all dark clothing.

Sheriff Leon Lott stresses no matter how brief it may be, it is never a good idea to leave your vehicle running especially when children are inside – always protect yourself and your family from crimes of opportunity. Sheriff Lott is asking for assistance -- anyone with information about this incident or the identity of the suspects should call, email or text your anonymous tip to: Crimestoppers at 1-888-crimesc, or text “TIPSC plus your message” to CRIMES (274637).  Your tip could earn you a cash reward of up to $1000.