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Authorities on the corner of Revell Drive and Pineland Avenue stand outside an apartment complex where a suspect connected to the Palmetto State Armory robbery barricaded himself June 18, 2024.
- Tyler Fedor/Staff
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Tyler Fedor covers crime, public safety and breaking news forThe Post and Courier in Florence. He's a graduate of the Universityof South Carolina and a diehard Gameco*ck fan who loves totravel.
Tyler Fedor
FLORENCE— A man who barricaded himself in a Florence apartment building June 18 was arrested after a three-hour standoff near the city's popular Five Points shopping district.
The man was a suspect in the May 12 Palmetto State Armory robbery, Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye said.
Palmetto State Armory is a South Carolina-based retail gun store with locations across the state.
Pee Dee
Man arrested in connection with Palmetto State Armory theft of over 150 guns
- By Tyler Fedortfedor@postandcourier.com
Earlier June 18 in Darlington,the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies attempted to recover some of the weapons stolen from the retail gun store, Florence County Sheriff's Office Spokesman Mike Nunn said.
This resulted in the suspect being chased from Darlington to Florence, where he barricaded himself in an apartment building on Revell Drive and Pineland Avenue.
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The suspect, who was armed, surrendered after authorities used tear gas.
The first suspect in the robbery was arrested May 22.
Benjamin Lee Mercer Jr., 29, of Florence is charged with one count of burglary, grand larceny, criminal conspiracy and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, according to a May 24 Florence County Sheriff’s Office press release.
Pee Dee
Man arrested in connection with Palmetto State Armory theft of over 150 guns
- By Tyler Fedortfedor@postandcourier.com
He and Benjamin Lee Mercer Sr., 51, allegedly broke into the Palmetto State Armory at night and took the guns that were valued at over $100,000 on May 12.
Reach Tyler Fedor at 843-998-3484. Follow him on X @tylerrfedor. Send tips to tfedor@postandcourier.com.
More information
- Suspect in $100K firearm robbery at Palmetto State Armory re-arrested after standoff
Tyler Fedor
Tyler Fedor covers crime, public safety and breaking news forThe Post and Courier in Florence. He's a graduate of the Universityof South Carolina and a diehard Gameco*ck fan who loves totravel.
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