West Columbia, SC (Paul Kirby) – A man is in custody after he robbed a West Columbia pet store. This happened at the Pet Supplies Plus in Danwood Plaza off Augusta Road just after noon on Thursday.
The man was originally caught shoplifting by an employee and tried to leave the store. An employee produced some type of knife to try to stop his escape. The thief was able to take the knife from the employee, brandished it, and then fled.
Officers with the West Columbia Police Department arrived quickly and began to chase the suspect. According to Assistant Chief Scott Morrison, he ran into an area behind the Zaxby’s and disappeared for a short while. As police continued to flood the area he was spotted and taken into custody.
Chief Morrison said that investigators were still interviewing the suspect late Thursday, but he is being charged with armed robbery. This enhanced charge is a result of his brandishing the knife when he was making an escape from the store. He has not been identified by police but is expected to be booked into the Lexington County Detention Center later today.
