In Moncks Corner, masked bandits simultaneously robbed a pizzeria and a Chinese restaurant. Investigators believe the robberies might be connected to the string of at least 25 Asian restaurant robberies in the area since April:
About 9:34 p.m. Thursday, one handgun-wielding robber walked into the Hong Kong China Restaurant on S.C. Highway 52 in Moncks Corner.Twenty-five Asian restaurant robberies since April? Things have gotten so bad, a task force comprised of the State Law Enforcement Division, the FBI and a number of county and local agencies has mounted a coordinated investigation into the robberies.
At the same time, another robber with a pistol entered Domino's Pizza, which is right next door, Moncks Corner Police Sgt. Brad Norvell said.
Both robbers were armed and both were wearing dark clothing, Norvell said.
"They were completely covered from head to toe, even their hands," he said.
Witnesses described the robber at the Chinese restaurant as a black man, about 6 feet tall, according to a police report.
The robber at the pizzeria was described as a black man, about 5 feet 8 inches tall. Both were thought to be in their early 20s, officers were told.
No one was injured in either robbery, and no shots were fired. The businesses are in the Palmetto Plaza Shopping Center.
Anyone with information about the string of Asian restaurant robberies is asked to call 1-866-472-8477 or email asianrestaurantrobberies@sled.sc.gov.
