Officials: Holdups not linked to economy 5/11/2009 12:10 AM
By KAREN DAILY Staff writer
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
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Comment Title: The cause is irrelevant !
What does it matter. A thief is a thief, in any economy!
Posted by: On: 5/11/2009
Comment Title: That doesnt even make sense
I dont understand how they can say these robberies are not related to the economy and then go on to say how only one of the robberies is related. And to go into such detail as to how different the suspects are in each case, how you can you point the finger at anything other than the down economy. Must have gotten that opinion from Wikipedia, or maybe from their source that claimed the log home was burned due to arson, oops.
Posted by: more firepower for officers On: 5/10/2009
Comment Title: out gunned
well answer me this a suspect with an ak 47 versus a regular road deputy with a mossberg 500 12 gauge shotgun and a bullet proof vest that wont stop the ak 47 round. a smart deputy will take his time getting there to preserve his/her life. sheriff hunt needs to take the 150 k he is gonna use for a useless swat vehicle that wont be used and out fit each zone deputy with an assault rifle. just buy one per zone pass it from shift to shift like your aed device. giving your road supervisors an assault rifle is worthless bc they r in charge of setting up command upon arrival and not the first ones on scene. but being the sheriff is ex special ops and his good ole boys work in the back did u think he will watch out for his road crew. HIGHLY DOUBTFUL
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