Sumter man accused in coffee table assault left kids at traffic checkpoint, cops say

A Sumter man wanted in connection with a 2015 robbery and assault – who police say later fled a traffic checkpoint, leaving two young children in the car – was arrested Wednesday, according to authorities.

Jawan Louis Artis, 25, of the 1300 block of Montgomery Drive in Sumter, was charged with strong arm robbery, attempted murder, giving false information to law enforcement and unlawful neglect of a child, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

Artis was wanted in connection with a robbery and assault that happened in November 2015 on the 1200 block of Cherryvale Drive, deputies said. Investigators say Artis and two codefendants took a wallet, keys, two cellphones and $40 cash from the victim, who was beaten in the head with fists, an ash tray and a coffee table.

On April 22, 2016, Artis gave a false name and date of birth to officers conducting a traffic safety checkpoint at Cherryvale and Reading Street, according to warrants. When Artis was removed from the vehicle for further investigation, he fled on foot, leaving two children – ages 4 and 6 – in the car.

This story was originally published May 31, 2017 at 5:30 PM.