The search for the armed man, who robbed some employees at a popular shopping center in Bluffton, continues. Two employees of the Under Armour store at Tanger Outler One were robbed at gunpoint, as they opened the store around 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Investigators say the African American man, dressed in black clothes, with a black mask, approached the two, entered the store, demanded money, and ran. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has been looking for him ever since.
Deputies canvassed the area of Fording Island Road with assistance from Bluffton Police, for hours. There were feet on the ground, and eyes from the sky as the chopper flew above. They did find what they believe to be the suspect’s handgun.
“We have recovered a handgun and other probative evidence that will be subjected to forensic examination,” Sheriff’s Office Captain Bob Bromage said.
The employees told investigators the suspect ran toward the Golden Corral. Deputies surrounded the area, staging their command post nearby.
“There have been some persons of interest stopped and interviewed along the way,” Bromage said.
Investigators ask that employees and shoppers in the area that is crowded with summer vacationers and back to school shoppers, to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Bromage does not believe there is a threat to public safety. He says this robbery was an isolated incident. However, he advises to always be aware of surroundings, especially when opening and closing shop.
“I mean, as hot and humid as it is now, if you see somebody hanging around a store before it opens or after closing, wearing long-sleeved shirts, it’s suspicious. It appeared suspicious, report it,” Bromage says.
The Under Armour store reopened at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. The Tanger Center declined to comment, but general manager Ashley Doepp released this statement: “The safety and security of our shoppers and employees is always a priority of Tanger Factory Outlets. We are not liberty to discuss this ongoing investigation. However, we are in full cooperation with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.”