2 arrested during shooting, armed robbery investigation

Store employees and residents gather in front of Strickland’s Mini-Mart following an armed robbery there Thursday afternoon where the clerk was shot.

By: From staff reports | SCNOW
Published: August 07, 2009

TIMMONSVILLE — Two Timmonsville men questioned in connection with an armed robbery and shooting at a convenience store Thursday face charges unrelated to that case.

Rontavis McKithen, 18 of 2616 Old Sansbury Road, was arrested Thursday by Florence County sheriff’s deputies on warrants for two counts of armed robbery with a deadly weapon and one count of first-degree burglary, Florence County Sheriff s Capt. Mike Nunn said in a press release issued Friday afternoon.

The burglary warrant alleges that on or about July 29, McKithen entered a residence on Davenport Drive in Timmonsville during the night armed with a firearm and demanded money from the residents. McKithen also is charged with armed robbery with a deadly weapon in connection with this crime, Nunn said.

McKithen’s other armed robbery charge stems from an incident that occurred on or about Sunday, when victims were robbed at gunpoint on the 100 block of Davenport Drive in Timmonsville, Nunn said.

Xavier N. Hickson, 20, of 106 Green Drive, also was arrested Thursday by by Florence County sheriff’s deputies on a warrant for accessory before the fact of a felony, Nunn said. Hickson is accused of calling a victim to the 100 block of Davenport Drive in Timmonsville on Sunday under the pretense of purchasing an item. When the victims arrived, they were robbed at gunpoint.

Both McKithen and Hickson remain in custody at the jail in Effingham awaiting bond hearings.

The two were apprehended about 4 p.m. Thursday as part of the response to the incident at Strickland’s Mini-Mart at Cale Yarborough Highway and U.S. 76, Nunn said.

“We’re glad to get them off the streets where they didn’t belong,” he said.

The store clerk was shot about noon when two men entered the store, brandished a gun and fired at least one shot, Nunn said.

Nunn said about 40 law enforcement officers from surrounding agencies and the State Law Enforcement Division participated in the hunt for the suspects.

The clerk was taken to an area hospital for treatment Thursday after the shooting and released Friday morning.

The suspects ran from the store after the crime toward Sardis, Nunn said.

The search included sheriff’s office canine units, Timmonsville police, Darlington County sheriff’s deputies, S.C. Highway Patrol troopers and SLED air units.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the sheriff’s office at (843) 665-2121 or the state Crime Stoppers hotline at (888) CRIME SC (274-6372). Callers need not reveal their identities.