<b>McDonald’s robbery under investigation  </b>

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at a Lady’s Island restaurant early on Sunday, Oct. 13.

Just after 1:30 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported armed robbery that occurred at McDonald’s, 177 Sea Island Parkway. Upon arrival, deputies met with employees who advised that the store had just been robbed by two unknown black males.

One employee advised that he’d been working on the roof when he saw two masked men approach another employee at the back door of the store. One of the men reportedly brandished a handgun and forced the employee inside the store. Moments later, a shot was fired and both suspects were seen fleeing the area on foot.

Five employees were inside the store when the robbery occurred. They reported that once inside the building, one of the suspects rounded them up, while the other directed a manager to the safe and register. After taking an undisclosed amount of money and several of the employees’ cell phones, the suspects forced them all into a walk-in freezer. Once inside, the suspects fired a shot and fled the area.

No injuries were sustained during the incident. The suspects were described as black males between 17-25 years old. Both were approximately 6 feet tall, 175 lbs. One was reportedly wearing a dark shirt, camouflage pants, and a red baseball cap. The other was described as wearing a dark shirt and pants and a baseball cap with lime green.

The Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information to contact either Investigator Cpl. A. Zsamar at 843-255-3408 or Crimestoppers.

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<b>Suspect in 2009 murder arrested</b>

A suspect in the 2009 shooting death of a Seabrook man has been arrested.

Jeremy Levon Murphy, 26, was arrested in Jasper County on unrelated charges Thursday, Oct. 3. Murphy was wanted on one count of Murder for the shooting that killed 27-year-old Ronald Coleman, Jr. Coleman was shot to death in his Seabrook Road home on the night of June 22, 2009. Evidence at the scene suggested that multiple shots were exchanged between the victim and suspect(s).

Investigators were able to charge and arrest Murphy’s co-defendant, 36-year-old Antonio Eugene Collins, in November 2011 after DNA analysis of bloodstains placed Collins at the crime scene. Investigators have continued to work on the case and were able to seek an arrest warrant for Murphy last week.

Following Murphy’s arrest by Jasper County authorities, he was returned to the Beaufort County Detention Center, where he will remain to face the murder charge.

<b>New board of elections director announced</b>

The Beaufort County Board of Elections and Registration has selected Marie S. Smalls as the department’s new director.

Ms. Smalls has been serving as the Interim Director since July 1.  She was selected from among 43 applicants to fill the vacancy left by Scott Marshall, after he took the Director’s position with Parks and Leisure Services.