3 teens charged in August robbery

Lexington, S.C.11/06/2021 – Lexington County deputies have arrested three Columbia teens accused of robbing a man at gunpoint in August.

Jaylon Lamont Veerapen, 18, is charged with armed robbery, kidnapping and criminal conspiracy, according to arrest warrants. Two minors have been charged in the incident. Their names will not be released because they are under the age of 18.

"Based on information detectives confirmed in video evidence in the case, the teens approached a food delivery driver’s car and held him at gunpoint in the 3500 block of Fernandina Road Aug. 7," Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. "Then they beat him up just off camera before leaving the scene."

During a traffic stop more than a month later, Veerapen was in a car with a gun stolen from the food delivery driver, according to Koon.

Veerapen and one of the minors were arrested Wednesday and transported to the Lexington County Detention Center. The other minor is in the custody of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.