Suspect taken into custody after family members turn him in

An armed robbery suspect is in custody after family members saw him on television and contacted Richland County deputies, officials said.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said 26-year-old Gilbert Lewis was taken into custody at his residence on Christmas Eve without incident and charged with armed robbery.

Lott said that on Dec. 22, Lewis allegedly entered the Raceway located in the 2100 block of Broad River Road and pretended to purchase an item.

Once he was at the counter, Lott said Lewis presented a handgun and demanded money from the employee. Lewis then allegedly hit the victim in the head with the gun, causing injury. The victim grabbed a bat and chased Lewis out of the store, Lott said.

After family members saw pictures of Lewis in the news, they called the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and turned him in.

Lewis is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.