Deputies seek suspect in string of robberies

Lexington County deputies are seeking a suspect in a string of robberies.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department says during the robberies a man kept a hand in his pocket to make people think he’s armed. They believe all 6 robberies are linked.

A 7th robbery happened Sunday night in Richland County.

The robberies happened at several locations within a few miles of each other in northwest Columbia in Lexington County:

Oct. 18 – Circle K, 2201 Bush River Rd

Oct. 20 – Speedway, 637 St. Andrews Rd

Oct. 21 – Spinx, 485 Piney Grove Rd

Oct. 21 – Pops, 441 Piney Grove Rd

Oct. 23 – CVS, 100 Outlet Pointe Blvd

Oct. 25 – Shell, 538 St. Andrews Rd

The locations are all off I-26 or I-20, near the interchange of those interstates.

Witnesses told investigators the suspect appears to be 25 to 35 years old.

The 7th robbery was at a Shell on North Main Street in Columbia and may also be connected, Lexington County deputies said. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating that case.

Arrest in fatal motorcycle collision

A Lexington man was arrested in connection with a fatal collision in Red Bank Friday evening.

Johnathon Ackiss, 36, has been charged with felony driving under the influence, driving with an open container, and simple possession of marijuana, WIS-TV reported.

Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said the accident happened at the intersection of Platt Springs Road and McLee Road in Red Bank at approximately 5:55 pm.

Galen Manapat, 73, was pronounced dead at the scene due to his injuries, according to Fisher. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

Manapat was travelling east on Platt Springs Road when he collided with a vehicle making a left turn toward McLee Road.

The driver of the vehicle was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Ackiss is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center.

Deputies arrest 2 in store burglary

2 Lexington men have been arrested in connection to a convenience store burglary early Tuesday morning in the Three Fountains area of Lexington County.

Brendon Axley Laymon-Malone, 19, and Joshua Nathaniel Nelson, 28, are charged with 2nd-degree burglary and grand larceny, according to arrest warrants.

“Someone called 911 after they heard glass shattering,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Deputies responded to the store and saw a front pane of glass broken out and some damage to the front door.”

Laymon-Malone was detained inside the store as he walked out of a back room, according to Koon. Nelson was detained in the back room.

“Deputies found some cash in Laymon-Malone’s pockets,” Koon said. “The store’s owner arrived on the scene and reported cigarettes, lottery tickets and electronic cigarettes were missing.”

Koon said other people were possibly involved in the break-in.

“We’d like community tips about who else might be a part of this incident,” he said. “Crimestoppers is always anonymous and it’s the best way to share that information with us. Call 888-274-6372 or use the Crimestoppers app. If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.”

Lawson-Malone and Nelson were being held in the Lexington County Detention Center Tuesday while waiting on a bond hearing.