West Columbia Break Time Robbed
***UPDATE SUNDAY 3:22 P.M.***Police say the suspect in the two armed robberies is 41-year-old Carlos Monteg Epps.***UPDATE SUNDAY 3:07 P.M.***Police arrested the man they say is responsible for at least two armed robberies at gas stations in Columbia over the weekend.The Shell Petro Mart on I-70 Drive SW was robbed around 8 p.m. Friday night. The man went into the store, threatened he had a gun and demanded money. On Saturday night, just before 10:30 p.m. the Break Time gas station at West Ash Street and Stadium Boulevard was robbed. The suspect threatened he had a gun, and the clerk told police he or she also saw what looked like a hand gun.Police worked overnight following leads and then found a location for the suspect on Sunday morning. Around 11:20 a.m., police went to Rangeline and Vandiver in Columbia to arrest the suspect. The man ran from police, but law enforcement officers were able to take him into custody quickly.Police initially arrested the man on two warrants including violating his parole. He is now under arrest for two armed robberies and police are investigating his involvement in other similar crimes here in Columbia. ***ORIGINAL STORY***Just before 10:30 p.m. on Saturday night, the Break Time on West Ash Street in Columbia was robbed.Officers on scene confirmed with ABC 17 News crews that they were processing the scene of a robbery. Reports indicate that after the robbery the suspect ran out past the back of the building.
