WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina |Sheriff: Robbery suspect held down until deputies arrive

Sheriff: Robbery suspect held down until deputies arrive

BLYTHEWOOD, SC (WIS) - Deputies arrested a man they say robbed the Asian Flavor Restaurant in Blythewood Tuesday night.

According to Richland County deputies, Daniel Swift was taken into custody after he robbed the Asian Flavor Restaurant on McNulty Road around 6pm.

Witnesses say Swift walked in the business with his hand under his shirt demanding cash from the female clerk.

After the clerk gave up the money, Swift ran out of the store.

Deputies say a male employee from the restaurant approached Swift outside the business and a physical altercation ensued.

Shawn Stevenson says he didn't think twice about stepping in when he saw the altercation.

"The guy, he was trying to get away actually, and the business owner, he was trying to hold him back, you know, and he was in need of help," said Stevenson.

Stevenson was joined by his co-worker Donell Kennedy, who says the suspect was just moments away from making a getaway.

"He was trying to get into the truck with money and hold the steering wheel with money in his hand," said Kennedy.

The owner, Stevenson and Kennedy all kept a firm grip on Swift until deputies arrived to arrest him.

Stevenson and Kennedy say in the end, they just wanted to make sure the bad guy didn't get the last laugh.

"People taking from people, you know, people get out their bed every morning and work hard and somebody just come take something from them," said Stevenson. "That's not right."

"It could have been us at the barber shop, so I figured it was the right thing to do to catch the robber so he wouldn't continue to do these things," said Kennedy.

Swift faces strong armed robbery charges.

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