Published Tuesday, April 08, 2008 2:10 PM
Updated Tuesday, April 08, 2008 2:11 PM

 

Seven implicated in series of armed robberies

Summerville police have arrested five suspects and are seeking two more in connection with a string of armed robberies dating back to January.

Targeted in the robberies were convenience stores, bank ATMs and an auto parts store, according to police.

The investigation, described as “extensive,” is ongoing and further arrests and charges may be forthcoming, said Capt. Jon Rogers.

Rogers said the seven suspects know each other — two of them, Darius and Jermaine Ferrette, are brothers — but it remains unclear if the robberies were part of a larger, organized plan.

The following suspects were still at large at presstime:

• Michael Anthony Bryan, 19, is wanted for robbery while armed with a deadly weapon in connection with the Jan. 12 armed robbery of Sonny’s Citgo on Trolley Road.

• Darius Jerel Ferrette, 18, is wanted for attempted robbery while armed with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime in connection with the March 12 armed robbery at the South Carolina Federal Credit Union ATM at Dorchester and Ladson roads.

Ferrette is also wanted for robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and accessory after the fact to armed robbery in connection with the March 21 armed robbery at the SunTrust Bank on North Main Street.

The following suspects have already been arrested according to police:

• Destefano Lavondrae Allen, 20, has been charged with robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and unlawful carrying of a pistol in connection with the Jan. 12 Citgo robbery.

Allen also faces charges — in connection with the Jan. 27 armed robbery of a Hess gas station on Trolley Road — for robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and unlawful carrying of a pistol.

For his alleged connection with the March 3 armed robbery of Auto Zone on Trolley Road, Allen has been charged with robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and unlawful carrying of a pistol.

• Jermaine Travis Ferette, 20, has been charged with two counts of criminal conspiracy — one each for the Hess and Citgo robberies.

• Admiral Lamonte Lee Jr., 17, has been charged with attempted robbery while armed with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime in connection with the March 12 South Carolina Federal Credit Union robbery.

Lee was also charged in connection with SunTrust ATM robbery for accessory after the fact to armed robbery and financial transaction card fraud.

• Ernest Jerome Fludd Jr., 20, faces a charge of robbery while armed with a deadly weapon in connection with the March 3 Auto Zone robbery.

• Robert Lee Brown II, 17, is charged with robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, misprision of a felony and financial transaction card fraud in connection with the March 21 SunTrust robbery.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Michael Anthony Bryan or Darius Jerel Ferrette may call Summerville police at (843) 851-4100 or Crime Stoppers at (843) 554-1111.

Contact David Berman at 873-9424 ext. 214 or dberman@journalscene.com