Lake City man arrested after two-county chase

A 24-year-old Lake City man is in custody after police said he robbed a store and then led deputies on a high-speed chase across two counties, Kingstree Police Chief Robert Ford said.

Jeffery Fleming is charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon by a felon in connection with a Tuesday evening robbery at a Sav-Way convenience store on Longstreet Street in Kingstree, Ford said.

Police said the suspect went into the store with a gun and demanded money from the clerk. The store clerk waited until the suspect left the store, then called authorities, Ford said.

The suspect’s car was almost immediately spotted and followed by a Williamsburg County sheriff’s deputy. The suspect reached speeds in excess of 100 mph as he drove out of Kingstree and into Lake City, where he wrecked his car but managed to keep the chase going, Ford said.

The high-speed chase ended in Olanta when the suspect jumped out of the car and ran. He was eventually captured by deputies, Ford said.

Fleming also faces charges from the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s office, Ford said.

Fleming remains in custody at the Williamsburg County jail under a $25,000 cash or surety bond on the armed robbery charge, a $15,000 cash or surety bond on the possession of a firearm by a felon charge and two $5,000 surety bonds for resisting arrest and failure to stop for a blue light.