Sumter deputies arrest convenience store armed robbery suspect

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Sumter man who allegedly committed armed robbery at a convenience store in the 1700 block of Pinewood Road on Feb. 16.
Demetrius Larry Cooper, 35, of Winder Lane was arrested on Friday, pursuant to a warrant issued on that same day with the help of a Crime Stoppers tip.

Cooper was charged with armed robbery while armed or allegedly armed with a deadly weapon, according to Deputy Adrienne Sarvis, public information officer for the sheriff’s office.
A warrant stated that Cooper demanded cash from a clerk at the Four Way Food Mart on Pinewood Road while allegedly armed with a deadly weapon, Sarvis said.
The suspect allegedly approached the counter and said, “Give me the twenties,” to which the employee responded, “Are you serious?” When the suspect answered, “Yes,” the victim opened the cash register and gave the man the twenties. He then demanded the $10 bills, and she obliged. According to the victim, the suspect appeared to have a weapon because he kept his hands in his pockets.
The suspect then fled the store heading toward Pinewood in a vehicle that was identified as a Mazda Tribute, according to Sarvis.