Suspects used sledgehammer to burglarize store, $10K stolen from safe | Crime

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a burglary that occurred at a West Columbia store Tuesday.

According to an incident report, officers responded to El Cheapo located at 3862 Charleston Highway in reference to an alarm.

Upon arrival, deputies found the store in complete disarray, and a large hole in the back wall of the business, the report stated.

Deputies say they also noticed the ATM had been damaged.

The report said when the store manager arrived on scene he advised deputies that a safe containing $10,000, $200 from the register, $1000 in change from an office desk drawer and $340 from the ATM was removed from the store.

Surveillance video captured two black males using a sledgehammer to break into the ATM, as well as the safe, the report stated.

Deputies say the two suspects exited the store through the damaged wall.

Investigators have not released surviellance footage or a description of the suspects at this time.

If you have any information about this crime, you are urged to contact Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

While deputies continued to investigate, they stumbled upon something hiding in a back room of the business.  Click here to read more 

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