Two men who tried to rob someone during a shoe sale in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, are now in police custody. This scary incident happened in broad daylight and is a strong reminder to stay alert when meeting strangers for online purchases.
Man Robbed at Gunpoint During Shoe Sale Meet-Up
The robbery took place around 5 p.m. outside the Lowes Foods store on Highway 41. The victim had gone there to meet someone to buy a pair of Nike shoes. He got into the sellers’ car and handed over several hundred rupees in cash for the shoes.
But things quickly turned dangerous. A passenger in the car suddenly pulled out a gun, pointed it at the victim’s chest, and threatened to kill him. He demanded the victim’s phone, wallet, and car keys. The victim told the man that he had nothing else on him and quickly got out of the car.
Two Suspects Arrested
Mount Pleasant Police identified the two suspects as:
Henry Derrick Robinson (39) – charged with armed robbery with a deadly weapon
Marvin Angelo Pressley (31) – charged with armed robbery with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon during a violent crime
As of Friday afternoon, both men were being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center.
Home Robbery Shortly After
While the police were still talking to the victim at the scene, he got a phone call from his roommate. His house had been broken into.
When police arrived at the home around 6:15 p.m., the roommate said he found the couch flipped over and several things out of place. A safe with a handgun, a flat-screen TV, and the victim’s wallet were missing.
Strangely, there were no signs of forced entry, which raised questions about how the robbers got in. Police are still investigating whether the armed robbery and the home burglary are connected.
What We Can Learn from This
This incident shows how risky it can be to meet strangers for buying or selling things in person. It’s always better to choose a public place, preferably near a police station, for such meet-ups. Some safe meet-up spots are even monitored by CCTV.
Here are a few safety tips:
Always meet in public, well-lit places
Don’t carry large amounts of cash
Never go alone
Inform a friend or family member about your meeting
Avoid getting into someone’s vehicle
The Mount Pleasant shoe sale turned violent when what seemed like a regular transaction ended with an armed robbery and later, a home burglary. Thanks to quick police work, both suspects are now behind bars. But the case is still being investigated to find out how the two incidents might be connected. Incidents like this are a clear warning to stay careful and never let your guard down while dealing with strangers, especially when money is involved.
