PRESS RELEASE
January 8, 2015
FCSO Captures Armed Robbery Suspects
SUBJECT: Malcolm Devon Spates, age 20, of 448 Hyman Circle, Olanta, SC 29114 was arrested by deputies with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office on January 8, 2015 and charged with Armed Robbery (S.C. Code Section 16-11-330) and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Violent Felony (S.C. Code Section 16-23-490). See FCSO Booking Website for additional details.
SUBJECT: James Chester Singletary, age 31, of 4135 Third Street, Olanta, SC 20114 was arrested by deputies with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office on January 8, 2015 and charged with Armed Robbery (S.C. Code Section 16-11-330) and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Violent Felony (S.C. Code Section 16-23-490). See FCSO Booking Website for additional details.
NARRATIVE: Deputies with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office arrested two suspects wanted in connection with the armed robbery of a convenience store near Olanta, SC earlier today. At approximately 9:30 AM, deputies responded to a call that the store, located at 546 North Jones Road, Olanta had been robbed. According to the store clerk, two masked and hooded black males entered the store and demanded money at gunpoint. After obtaining an undetermined amount of money from the clerk, the two suspects left the scene on foot (See attached store surveillance video).
FCSO Deputies and canine tracking teams immediately responded to the scene and set up a search perimeter. Deputies located one suspect on Third Street in Olanta and shortly thereafter, the second suspect was located on First Street. The handgun believed to have been used in the robbery and the stolen money was recovered.
Investigators have charged James Singletary and Malcolm Spates, both from Olanta, SC with one count of Armed Robbery and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Violent Felony. The suspects are being held at the Florence County Detention Center and will likely appear before a Florence County magistrate for a bond hearing tomorrow.
Under South Carolina law, armed robbery is a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, but with a minimum sentence of 10 years, and no possibility of parole before the service of 7 years.
“We could not be more proud of our Deputies, including our nationally recognized canine tracking teams for quickly apprehending these suspects and recovering the victim’s money,” Sheriff Kenney Boone stated. “These officers demonstrate daily their selfless dedication to duty and the protection of the citizens of Florence County. We commend them for their splendid work.”
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Major Michael M. Nunn
