Officials: Holdups not linked to economy

The suspects linked to more than a half dozen bank robberies in the area this year don't fit a specific mold, and, despite what some people may suspect, local law enforcement officers don't believe the economy has much, if anything, to do with what they are calling a "recent uptick" in the number of holdups.

Suspects have ranged in age from 18 to 61 years old and have been white, Hispanic and black. They have ranged in height from 5-foot-6 to 6-foot-3; some have had slim builds while others weigh at least 350 pounds. And, thus far, officials said they believe only two of the seven area holdups are likely connected.

"We have been in constant contact with the two Public Safety departments and with Richmond County to try and compare any similarities and evidence we may have," said Capt. Troy Elwell, Aiken County Sheriff's Office spokesperson. "We can only say we believe the holdups in Beech Island and the Security Federal in Langley are related."

On March 11, two armed men held up the Beech Island Credit Union on Old Jackson Highway.

During the April 22 armed robbery at the Security Federal Bank on Augusta Road in Langley, one of the suspects was brandishing what appeared to be an AK-47 assault-style rifle, and a man spotted at both holdups was described as being more than 350 pounds.

"These holdups have been of grave concern," Elwell said. "We are concerned for our citizens and the employees at the bank."

Some bank employees did not return to work after they were held up, he said.

Aiken Public Safety Lt. David Turno said the number of holdups, as well as what he called the "brazen" nature of the crimes, has been disconcerting to police. In both holdups in the City of Aiken this year, the suspects were armed.

Alex Rodger III, 61, was charged with the Feb. 6 holdup at the Vista Bank on Laurens Street.

In the most recent bank robbery reported in the City of Aiken, a gunman held up the State Credit Union on Beaufort Street. He was armed with what police are calling a "high-capacity" handgun.

North Augusta has not been immune from the holdups either.

There have been two holdups in the North Augusta city limits.

On Jan. 20, a gunman held up the Security Federal bank at 315 East Martintown Road.

Joseph Wade Northington, 27, of Virginia, has been charged with that robbery.

On April 23, a group of teens reportedly held up a Bank of America at 441 West Martintown Road.

Quinton R. Harmon, 19, Roosevelt Johnson Jr., 19, and David J. Dixon, 18, have all been arrested.

A fourth man, Anthony M. Martin, AKA "T-Money," 24, is still at large on allegations that he was involved in the robbery.

Investigators say they feel they are closing in on some of the suspects who are still at-large.

"Just because you don't see a patrol car doesn't mean we aren't there," Elwell said.

Local law enforcement officers have both uniformed and nonuniformed personnel conducting surveillance.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.

Jan. 20, Security Federal, 315 East Martintown Road, City of North Augusta

Feb. 6, Vista Bank, 128 Laurens Street, City of Aiken

March 10, Beech Island Credit Union, 143 Old Jackson Highway, Beech Island

March 25, Bank of America, 315 Edgefield Highway, Belvedere

April 11, State Credit Union, 210 Beaufort Street, City of Aiken

April 22, 2812 Augusta Road, Langley

April 23, Bank of America, City of North Augusta