Local Radar

---

---

---

Second arrest made in armed robbery and burglary of Trenton couple

web posted April 25, 2007
EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office said they have arrested the second suspect in the burglary and armed robbery of an elderly Trenton couple last week. Keith Rocquell Thomas, 17, turned himself in to authorities Tuesday and is currently being held without bond at the Edgefield County Detention Center along with Rio Tyrone Bing Jr. who was arrested the day of the burglary.

Both men face charges of burglary in the first degree, armed robbery, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, grand larceny, two counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and two counts each of kidnapping.

In the burglary the elderly couple was held at gunpoint while the two men allegedly stole several guns, thousands of rounds of ammo, cash, and one of the couple’s cars. A Sheriff’s Investigator spotted the stolen car hours later on Highway 25 and a high-speed chase ensued before the two men crashed the car and escaped on foot.

Evidence collected after the crash lead to the arrest of Mr. Bing later in the day and the identification of Mr. Thomas.

As the investigation continues the two men have been linked to at least one other crime investigators said, a burglary on April 2 of a beauty shop in the Bettis Academy area, and possibly others. In the burglary of the beauty shop investigators say they have a third suspect and that a warrant for his arrest is pending. His name was not released due to his age. It is unknown if he will be charged as an adult in the case.

Chief Investigator Randy Doran said the remaining guns stolen in last weeks armed robbery have not been recovered. “We think we know what happened to them,” Doran said adding the case is still being actively investigated and all leads were being followed.

Mr. Thomas’ family has been cooperative with the investigation and allowed their home to be searched the day of the burglary but no weapons were recovered. Family members told police they had not seen Mr. Thomas since the burglary. Sheriff’s Investigators stated Mr. Thomas said he had been staying in an abandoned car since the burglary.

Investigator Doran said there were at least two additional burglaries they are presently re-evaluating in light of the arrests and the information obtained in the investigation in addition to the April 2 event.

If convicted the charges would result in more than forty years in prison.

Additional charges may be pending the outcome of the investigation officials said.

  

EdgefieldDaily.com is a member of the
Edgefield County
Chamber of Commerce
New Link Below
Information and Activities

---

-----
Parting Shots
A new book by Columnist Carl Langley

---

JAM Straight Customs

---

Featured Dining

La Cantina

---

---

'08 Debate
Get involved

---

NOTICE:
We still need recipes for Cooking Section
WEBNEWS –  Send in your favorite or favorites. There is no limit to the number of recipes you can send in. With the Editor’s wife being the driving force behind her own personal section, help her create an exchange of local favorites, home cooking, grilling, sauces, and deserts!  Send in your submissions here.