Columbia police arrest 2 armed robbery suspects soon after crimes

Columbia police arrested two armed robbery suspects shortly after two similar armed robberies occurred near the same area.

Bermonte Gilmore, 22, and Deandre Kinlaw, 21, were both arrested Saturday, according to the Columbia Police Department.

Gilmore has been charged in both crimes and was arrested on four counts of armed robbery, unlawful carrying of a pistol, two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime and criminal conspiracy, police said.

Kinlaw has been charged in one of the crimes and was arrested for armed robbery and criminal conspiracy, police said.

Officers were flagged down around 1 a.m .Saturday morning by three men who reported being robbed while in the 1700 block of Blanding Street, police said. The suspects allegedly pointed guns at them and demanded their wallets, credit cards, jewelry, cell phones and sunglasses.

Shortly after that incident, a similar armed robbery occurred near the same area. An officer witnessed a man pointing a gun at another person, police said. When the suspect saw the officer, he ran away, but soon surrendered.

Officers recovered a weapon and stolen items during the arrests, police said.

Gilmore and Kinlaw were taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Columbia police arrest 2 armed robbery suspects soon after crimes."