GREENVILLE — Greenville authorities have arrested three men police believe were involved in a carjacking and the burglary of a Pickens-area pawn shop.
The men were arrested January 19 in connection with the armed robbery and carjacking, which occurred at a residence on Watkins Bridge Road in Greenville County on January 14. Police believe that the suspects later that evening backed the vehicle through the door of Pace’s Pawn in an attempted burglary.
Greenville County investigators have charged and arrested Demetrice Antonio Robinson, 17, Zachary Putman, 20, and Osaze Jonta Cooks, 25, in the case.
Robinson was charged with one count of armed robbery, one count of burglary first degree and one count of criminal conspiracy. Putman was charged with one count of attempted armed robbery, one count of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, one count of burglary first degree and one count of criminal conspiracy. Cooks faces one count of armed robbery, one count of burglary first degree and one count of criminal conspiracy.
Deputies arrested Robinson and Putman without incident last Wednesday, and both have been placed in the Greenville County Detention Center after being arraigned with no bond.
Investigators received information early last Wednesday morning of the whereabouts of Cooks. When deputies and the K-9 Unit arrived at a location off Augusta Road to take Cooks into custody, Cooks resisted arrest and was eventually taken into custody by the K-9 Unit, Master Deputy Sam Cureton of the Greenville Sheriff’s office said.
Cooks was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained after being taken into custody.
Pickens County Assistant Sheriff Tim Morgan told the Courier that his office has presented information concerning the case to a judge for warrants, but as of press time did not believe they had been issued against the three men in connection the Pace’s Pawn break-in.