Two Arrested For Armed Robbery Following SWAT Situation In Indian Land

LANCASTER, S.C. — Two people have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery in Indian Land on Monday night.

Jonathan Mikael Robinson, 23, is charged with Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Violent Crime, and Possession of a Stolen Pistol.  Morgan Joyce Varn is charged with Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, and Malicious Injury to Personal Property.

According to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, April 24th, 2017, deputies were called to a town home on Sandal Brook Road in Indian Land regarding an armed robbery.

The arriving deputies found a 25-year-old male victim outside of the town home, who stated he had been invited by Varn, the resident of the town home.

The victim indicated Varn demanded money and smashed his cell phone screen, while Robinson was in a possession of a handgun.

The victim left the residence and went to a neighboring home to call the authorities.

The three responding officers attempted to get the people inside the town home to come outside.  Two adult males did exit the residence but Varn, Robinson, and another female did not.

After several hours, the arrival of more officers, investigators, a crisis negotiator, and the SWAT team, a telephone was thrown into the house.  When the door was opened, Varn and the other female were detained without incident.

Robinson remained in the home with the handgun until the SWAT team entered and detained him.

The handgun had been reported stolen last July and ammunition was found inside the home.  Additionally, a large sum of cash was found on Robinson.

Sheriff Barry Faile was pleased with the outcome, saying, “We had three people and a pistol inside that home and for hours did everything we could to get them to come out. When they didn’t, we had to go in and get them. Fortunately, no weapons were discharged and nobody was hurt.That is the outcome we always want.”