WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Elgin dollar store robbers caught on tape

Elgin dollar store robbers caught on tape

By Jody Barr - email

ELGIN, SC (WIS) - The search is on in Elgin for two men police say held up a Dollar General store. They were caught on tape in the act, and now officials want to know who they are.

It all started innocently enough when a man walked through the door of the Elgin Dollar General Thursday night. But in an instant, police say he brought help. Both men were armed and had a job to do.
    
Elgin Police Chief Harold Brown says the pair had a plan, and knew exactly where the money was.

"The masked robber came in and went immediately to his left and went immediately to the office, he knew where everything was at and he didn't slow down," said Brown. "He actually almost ran back there."

The store clerk was counting money and getting ready to close the store when she spotted the masked robber through her office window. Once inside, both men held guns on the clerk as she emptied the store's money into a plastic bag. The pair ordered the clerk out of the office and back to the register where they finished the job.

"The key right now is the one that was brazen enough to go in without a mask, and it looked like they were very large-caliber handguns they were carrying," said Brown. "So, these guys are not playing; they're very dangerous."

Chief Brown says the robbery is the second in weeks at the store. He has posted an officer at the store nearly every night since, but last night that officer was investigating an attempted burglary and away from the store.

"They have no regard at all for the people in the store and those are not -- they don't look like toy guns, so somebody's going to get hurt, we really need help to get these guys," said Brown.

The store manager said the crooks made off with more than $2,000 in cash. Investigators also think these two were watching the store, or were very familiar with it.
    
If you think you know who either of the men are, you're asked to call police or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

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