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On June 4, at approximately 10:41 a.m. the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an individual being robbed by two armed men outside of Hilda’s Family Country Store located on Cherry Run Road in Washington. The reporting party identified the suspects and gave a suspect vehicle description.

Deputies and detectives responded to the location to gather information from the victim and began searching for the suspect vehicle, which was described as a burgundy 2025 Mitsubishi Mirage with a South Carolina registration plate and damage to the front bumper.

At approximately 12:16 p.m., deputies and officers with the Washington Police Department located the vehicle in the parking lot of a restaurant on West 5th Street in Washington. Two suspects were taken into custody, while a third unidentified black male suspect fled prior to from law enforcement. The two firearms used in the robbery were seized by deputies.

As a result of the investigation 32-year-old Marcel Laquan Whitney of Chocowinity and 33-year-old Eric Lavon Whitney Jr. of Washington were arrested and charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. Both men were confined in the Beaufort County Detention Center under no bond.

Based on the information obtained during the investigation, detectives determined the robbery was targeted towards a singular victim.

Sheriff Hammonds asks anyone with information regarding the identity of the third suspect to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 946-7111. You can also submit tips anonymously by ing Beaufort County Crime Stoppers at (252) 974-6400 or submit your confidential tip by ing the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office App and selecting Submit A Tip.