Update 10/18/2011: Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced on October 15, 2011 the arrest of Frankie Brown who is charged with two counts of strong armed robbery. The Sheriff advised that Brown was involved in two separate robberies – one of which was the robbery of the Walgreen’s located at 2725 Clemson Road where Brown entered the business and stole money from a customer and the store.

Sheriff Leon Lott states that the Department has learned that during the robbery two citizens jumped in to help the customers and clerk by attempting to apprehend Brown. The Sheriff added that it is important for the Department to identify these two citizens; to commend them for their actions and to thank them for trying to be good Samaritans in the fight against crime.

Sheriff Leon Lott is asking that anyone with information on the identity of the two citizens, in the attached photograph, to please call the Sheriff’s Department’s Criminal Investigative Division at 803-576-3037 or crimestoppers at 888-CRIME-SC.

Update 10/15/2011: arrest made: Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Frankie Brown (DOB: 04/14/59) charged with two counts of strong armed robbery.

Sheriff Leon Lott states that Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Brown on Saturday, October 15, 2011 around 9:00 AM on North Main Street.

· September 30, 2011 – Friday, just before 2:00PM at 2725 Clemson Road (Walgreen’s) the victim stated that an unknown male suspect entered the business and asked the clerk about prices on several items in the store. The suspect waited until a customer was checking out at the register and lunged forward stealing the customer’s money from the counter and also stealing money from the register. Sheriff Leon Lott stated that investigators have determined that Brown was that suspect and he fled the scene in a late model SUV.

· October 8, 2011 - Saturday, around after 7:30 PM at 103 William Hardin Road (Dollar General) the victim stated that a male suspect leaned over the counter and grabbed cash out of the till while she was getting change. The unknown male suspect fled the business. Sheriff Leon Lott stated that investigators have determined that Brown was that suspect and he fled the scene in a late model SUV.

Sheriff Leon Lott stated that the investigation continues into Brown’s involvement into other crimes and that Brown has been transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott is requesting the community’s assistance in identifying two suspects wanted for robbery.

Sheriff Leon Lott states that the suspects have committed a series of robberies recently that appear to be related. The victims state that the two men who committed these robberies were in their 50’s. In at least 3 of the robberies one of the suspects was wearing a red University of South Carolina baseball cap and took money from the register -- fleeing the business in a dark colored SUV.

The Sheriff adds that the incidents are:

· September 29, 2011 - Thursday, just after 8:00PM at 1563 Broad River Road (Dollar General) the victim stated that a male suspect forced the clerk to open the register – the unknown male suspect grabbed the money and fled the business. The victim stated that the suspect was described as a black male in his 50’s, wearing a navy blue sweatshirt, dark pant, and a red baseball cap; the suspect also appeared to have a salt and pepper beard.

· September 30, 2011 – Friday, just before 2:00PM at 2725 Clemson Road (Walgreen’s) the victim stated that an unknown male suspect entered the business and asked the clerk about prices on several items in the store. The suspect waited until a customer was checking out at the register and lunged forward stealing the customer’s money from the counter and also stealing money from the register. Sheriff Leon Lott stated that the suspect fled the scene possibly in a late model GMC Crossover SUV.

· October 1, 2011 – Sunday, 6:15AM at 800 St. Andrews Road (Exxon Gas Station) the victim states that the suspect stole money out of the register and fled the business.

Sheriff Leon Lott states surveillance cameras captures one of the suspects committing the crime and anyone with information about this crime 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.