Columbia police arrest third suspect after string of December robberies
On Friday, police arrested the third and final suspect for a Jimmy John’s robbery on December 7 in north Columbia. But ABC 17 News also confirmed the two other suspects are linked to five more business robberies.
Mikel Derrice Crowley, 20, was taken into custody at 12:46 a.m. Investigators say he worked with Terrence Harvey, 17, and Jafari Boss, who were caught December 18.
Court records show Harvey is Boss’ stepson. Harvey has been certified to stand trial as an adult, and is currently charged with robbing Speedy Mart, Budget Host Inn and We B Smokin in December.
Court documents claim Harvey might have been involved in armed robberies at Denny’s, China Moon and a home invasion. Officers found a mask at Denny’s after the armed robbery on December 6. They also found similar black and red masks sold December 3 at Party City in Columbia. The masks were bought with Harvey’s mother’s credit card. About five hours later, two men robbed Speedy Mart on Old Highway 63 wearing black and red masks.
After the China Moon robbery on December 13, an employee at nearby Petro-Mart told police they saw two black men run out of the store and get into a cab. Police found the number used to the cab belonged to Boss. And the cab brought the two men to Boss and Harvey’s home. Police also found out a taxi had been used to pick up the same two men shortly after the robberies at Budget Host Inn and We B Smokin.
