Richland County Sheriff seeking suspects in beating, robbery of special needs man

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the community’s help in locating two suspects wanted for kidnapping and armed robbery on Sunday.

A 44-year-old special needs man was walking down the 3000 block of River Dr. – between Northwood and Florence streets, near Earlewood Park – just before 2 p.m., when two black males allegedly forced him into a vehicle at gun point, said Lt. Curtis Wilson, the Public Information Officer for the Richland County Sheriff's Department.

The suspects drove the man to the intersection of Tyeu Trail and Bakersfield Rd., near the Dutch Square shopping center, and forced him out of the vehicle, according to Lt. Wilson, who added the suspects beat the man in the upper body and stole his bag, which contained a bank card and cash.

Lt. Wilson said the suspects fled the scene and the man was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.