Three arrested in mass break-in of Columbia liquor store. More arrests pending
Three suspects have been arrested in the mass break-in of the popular Green’s Discount Beverages in downtown Columbia following a George Floyd demonstration on May 31, police say, and more arrests are pending.
Store manager Gary Kangas estimated at the time that 20 people in seven cars broke into the popular downtown liquor store late that Sunday night after the protests.
In-store video from security cameras show multiple cars pulling into the parking lot of the store at 400 Assembly St. near the University of South Carolina campus. The crowd broke two large front windows, the exterior and interior doors, and streamed in.
Up to 30 businesses were damaged during the May 30-31 demonstrations, including three that were damaged by fire and another two that were looted.
Kangas said he didn’t believe the break-in was linked to the protests, which roiled downtown Columbia for two days following the killing of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man in the custody of Minneapolis police.
“It didn’t have anything to do with what was happening at the State House,” Kangas said. “They knew police were in other areas of town. It was definitely organized.”
Columbia police have arrested three people in connection with the mass break in; another is wanted in the case.
Arrested by the Columbia Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department were:
Riley Davis, 21, charged with third degree burglary, criminal conspiracy, instigating a riot, illegal acts during a state of emergency and looting.
Corey Haynes, 33, charged with burglary, illegal acts during a state of emergency and looting.
Jakese Hagans, 21, charged with second degree burglary and illegal acts during a state of emergency.
Wanted in connection to the break-in is:
Deja McConnell, 21.
Columbia police spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said more arrests are pending.
The incident lasted just minutes, Kangas said.
The video shows the crowd rushing through the store grabbing armloads of bottles. The main targets were shelves closest to the front door, he said.
The manager estimated the value of the stolen liquor at $5,800.
The crowd only entered the liquor side of the store and not the separate beer and wine side, Kangas said. South Carolina law requires that liquor be sold separately from other products, like beer and wine.
The store was closed because South Carolina doesn’t allow liquor sales on Sunday or after 7 p.m.
Kangas, who has been with the store for 15 years, said, “just when I think I’ve seen everything, I get surprised.”