Surveillance footage shows South Sumter Piggly Wiggly break-in

Video surveillance from a reported break-in at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Sumter County on late Saturday night appears to show three men using sledge hammers and crow bars to force their way inside.

The three suspects reportedly broke through the glass door of the South Sumter branch at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 15 South and Guignard Drive about 2:50 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, according to Ken Bell, public information officer for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

While they caused about $1,000 in damage, Bell said, the suspects did not find any money and fled without swiping anything.

“Apparently, they thought cash was kept in the office at night,” he said.

Bell said the suspects were only inside for about 20 seconds and were gone when deputies arrived about three minutes after they received an alarm.

This store has not been targeted before, Bell said, though last spring or early summer a man reportedly broke into a string of businesses along Broad Street by breaking the glass door.

“He’s in jail,” Bell said. “We’re hoping someone will recognize their shoes or mannerisms, etc.”

He said no description of the weekend’s Piggly Wiggly suspects is available other than they appear to be black males.

Anyone who can identify them is asked to call Investigator Nelson Rosario at(803) 436-2000 or Crime Stoppers at (803) 436-2718 or 1-888-CRIMESC. Callers can remain anonymous and may get a reward of up to $1,000 for information resulting in an arrest.