<b>Sheriff’s Office </b><b>investigates stolen ATM</b>

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary that occurred early last Friday morning at an Okatie area convenience store.

Just after 4 a.m. on Dec. 12, deputies responded to an activated alarm at the Enmark gas station (101 Commerce Place E). Upon arrival, it was immediately apparent that business had been burglarized.

In review of the surveillance footage, it was determined that two unknown black males had made entry to the store by prying open the front door. Once inside, the suspects removed the ATM, which they loaded into an SUV parked in front of the store.

Both suspects were wearing dark clothing with masks concealing their faces, and their vehicle appeared to be a dark colored GMC Yukon or Chevy Suburban.

Anyone with information is asked to contact either Investigator PFC C. LaVan at 843-255-3313 or Crimestoppers.

<b>Robbery suspect facing additional charges</b>

The suspect arrested last week by Port Royal Police Department for a robbery outside a laundromat has been charged by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office in two additional incidents.

In addition to the Dec. 11 robbery outside Port Royal’s Suds City Laundromat, 30-year-old Andrew Lee Brown, Jr. has also now been charged with 2nd degree Assault and Battery, Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime, and Attempted Kidnapping.

Based on the similar suspect description provided by the victims in a series of violent encounters that occurred last week, investigators with both Port Royal Police Department and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office believed that they were looking for the same person. During the course of the ensuing investigations, Brown was positively identified in the Port Royal Suds City incident and the following two incidents:

• Just after 6 a.m. last Wednesday, deputies met with a male victim at the Stop and Go Convenience Store (430 Parris Island Gtwy) who advised that he’d been approached by an unknown black male. The suspect had lewdly propositioned him, and when the victim declined, the suspect grabbed the victim’s genitals and fled the area in a dark colored pickup truck.

• At approximately 6:30 a.m. the following morning, a male victim was walking his dog outside The Oaks at Broad River Landing (75 Riverchase Blvd) when he was approached by an unknown black male in a dark colored pickup truck. The suspect brandished a handgun and told the victim to let go of his dog and get into the suspect’s truck. The victim refused to comply and the suspect eventually gave up and drove away, leaving the victim unharmed.

Two additional, similar incidents that include a strong arm robbery at Shell Point Recreational Park and an attempted armed robbery in the area of Grober Hill Road and Parris Island Gateway remain under active investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact either Investigator Sgt. C. Wilson at 843-255-3409 or Crimestoppers.

<b>Beaufort man sentenced for robbery</b>

On Thursday, December 11th, 2014, a Beaufort County jury found Jujuan Andre Habersham guilty of armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and possession of a weapon by a person convicted of a crime of violence. The trial lasted two days. Judge Craig Brown sentenced Habersham to thirty years in prison.

On June 19, 2011, Habersham robbed two people at gunpoint in downtown Beaufort. The victims were leaving a restaurant and walking through the marina parking lot around 2:30 AM when Habersham approached and demanded their money and other belongings.

Habersham fled and was located several days later in Hardeeville after using the victim’s stolen credit card. Upon arrest, he admitted to being present for the robbery but not being armed.

Habersham’s prior convictions include strong arm robbery, four counts of forgery, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, third degree assault and battery and possession of marijuana.

“I am very pleased with the verdict,” Assistant Solicitor Mary Jordan Lempesis stated. “Beaufort County is a safer place with Jujuan Habersham behind bars.”

Habersham is not eligible for parole. He must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence before he is eligible for release.
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