Shootout at Columbia Waffle House leads to arrests of two Lexington men, cops say
Two Lexington men were arrested Tuesday following an attempted robbery that turned into a shootout at a Waffle House in Columbia, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said.
The men were identified as Jamal Ford, 19, and Kenji D. Yates, 22, the sheriff’s department said.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a hold-up alarm at the Waffle House at 2345 Broad River Road around midnight, according to a news release. That’s near the junction with Interstate 20 at Exit 65, and less than a mile from Dutch Square Center shopping mall.
When they arrived, deputies said they learned that two men entered the restaurant, pointed guns at the cook, and demanded money.
The would-be robbers were confronted by an armed customer who the sheriff’s department called “a good Samaritan.” That customer holds a concealed weapons permit, according to the release.
Information on how the customer intervened was not available, but the sheriff’s department said gunfire was exchanged inside the Waffle House before the two attempted robbers ran away without any money.
Deputies established a perimeter in the area, and used law enforcement dogs to help track down the two men. Ford and Yates were later taken into custody without incident, according to the release.
No injuries were reported, but a window was shattered.
Ford and Yates were taken to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where they were each charged with attempted armed robbery, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, jail records show. Ford was also charged with possession of a stolen pistol, the sheriff’s department said.
No bond has been set for either man, according to jail records.
Although the suspects are behind bars, the sheriff’s department is still asking anyone who was in the restaurant at the time of the attempted robbery to call 803-576-3144, or 803-576-3000.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published August 11, 2020 at 1:01 PM.
