Suspect in Sumter grocery store break-ins arrested
On Thursday, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a man suspected of breaking into two grocery stores earlier this month and attempting to rob a third this past weekend.
Zachary Nathan Williams, 32, of 3677 Oat Field Road, Lot A, is charged with first-degree burglary for allegedly breaking into a store at 2525 U.S. 15 South and taking cigarettes, cigars, beer and other items valued at about $2,250 on Oct. 8, states a news release from the sheriff's office.
Williams is also charged with a second count of first-degree burglary for reportedly breaking into Piggly Wiggly, 1455 S. Guignard Drive, on Oct. 13 and taking cigarettes and a canvas shopping bag all valued at $510.
The release states that Williams also faces an attempted armed robbery charge in connection with an incident that took place at Food Lion, 1785 U.S. 15 South, on Oct. 14.
Video surveillance showed a man handing the store clerk a Western Union form with the words “this is a hold up” written on it. The man also allegedly told the clerk that he was armed with a gun.
The sheriff’s office was able to identify Williams as the attempted robbery suspect after releasing surveillance footage to news media and posting the video on social media.
Authorities executed a search warrant at Williams' home where he was arrested without incident.
Williams is being held at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center awaiting a first appearance hearing scheduled at 2 p.m. Friday at the detention center.