Deputy Had to Act
November 25, 2012 13:59
The State (Columbia, SC)
December 18, 1996
Section: METRO/REGION
Edition: FINAL
Page: B3
DEPUTY HAD TO ACT QUICK TO FOIL ROBBERY
BOB STUART, Staff Writer
Lexington County Sheriff's deputy Dan Jennings had but a second to react when arriving at a West Columbia robbery scene.
As Jennings walked inside the Papa John's Restaurant on Platt Springs Road Sunday he spotted two people at the back.
Both had pillow cases over their heads. One was armed with a .22-caliber rifle; the other had a shotgun.
They turned toward Jennings.
"I perceived a threat and I shot both of them," Jennings said Tuesday.
Jennings, suffered pellet wounds from the shotgun blast to his foot, ankle and lower shin. He was able to arrest one of the 16- year-old male suspects at the restaurant. A second teen was found at Lexington Medical Center after Jennings was taken there for treatment. The teen remains hospitalized.
The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating the case.
SLED spokesman Hugh Munn said the two 16-year-olds face six charges. Those charges include assault and battery with intent to kill, criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, pointing a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.
Under state law, the teens will be tried as adults because of their age and because they have been charged with crimes that could result in sentences of 15 years or more, said Fran Humphries, a prosecutor for the 11th Circuit Solicitor.
Two other suspects also have been arrested, Munn said.
One of them, Stacy Opal Dooley, 22, of Gaston, is accused of driving the getaway car, Munn said. She has been charged with assault and battery with intent to kill, criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.
A passenger in the getaway car, Joseph Paul Bozard, 19, of Lexington, faces the same charges as Dooley. Dooley and Bozard were each being held under $300,000 each at the Lexington County Jail.
As for Jennings, he continues to recuperate from his injuries at home. He is taking antibiotics and keeping his foot elevated. He may need surgery if there is nerve damage to his foot.
The 43-year-old deputy was enjoying some good news Tuesday. Jennings had learned Friday that he was to be promoted. When he returns to duty, he will have the rank of sergeant and will be the Sheriff's Department's school resource coordinator. He will also oversee the DARE program.
Jennings doesn't consider himself a hero or a victim of Sunday's robbery attempt.
"The heroes are the employees of the restaurant and the young man who called 911," Jennings said.
Bob Stuart covers law enforcement in the Midlands. Contact him at 771-8405, 3 p.m.- midnight Monday-Friday or by fax at 771-8430.
Copyright (c) 1996 The State
December 18, 1996
Section: METRO/REGION
Edition: FINAL
Page: B3
DEPUTY HAD TO ACT QUICK TO FOIL ROBBERY
BOB STUART, Staff Writer
Lexington County Sheriff's deputy Dan Jennings had but a second to react when arriving at a West Columbia robbery scene.
As Jennings walked inside the Papa John's Restaurant on Platt Springs Road Sunday he spotted two people at the back.
Both had pillow cases over their heads. One was armed with a .22-caliber rifle; the other had a shotgun.
They turned toward Jennings.
"I perceived a threat and I shot both of them," Jennings said Tuesday.
Jennings, suffered pellet wounds from the shotgun blast to his foot, ankle and lower shin. He was able to arrest one of the 16- year-old male suspects at the restaurant. A second teen was found at Lexington Medical Center after Jennings was taken there for treatment. The teen remains hospitalized.
The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating the case.
SLED spokesman Hugh Munn said the two 16-year-olds face six charges. Those charges include assault and battery with intent to kill, criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, pointing a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.
Under state law, the teens will be tried as adults because of their age and because they have been charged with crimes that could result in sentences of 15 years or more, said Fran Humphries, a prosecutor for the 11th Circuit Solicitor.
Two other suspects also have been arrested, Munn said.
One of them, Stacy Opal Dooley, 22, of Gaston, is accused of driving the getaway car, Munn said. She has been charged with assault and battery with intent to kill, criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.
A passenger in the getaway car, Joseph Paul Bozard, 19, of Lexington, faces the same charges as Dooley. Dooley and Bozard were each being held under $300,000 each at the Lexington County Jail.
As for Jennings, he continues to recuperate from his injuries at home. He is taking antibiotics and keeping his foot elevated. He may need surgery if there is nerve damage to his foot.
The 43-year-old deputy was enjoying some good news Tuesday. Jennings had learned Friday that he was to be promoted. When he returns to duty, he will have the rank of sergeant and will be the Sheriff's Department's school resource coordinator. He will also oversee the DARE program.
Jennings doesn't consider himself a hero or a victim of Sunday's robbery attempt.
"The heroes are the employees of the restaurant and the young man who called 911," Jennings said.
Bob Stuart covers law enforcement in the Midlands. Contact him at 771-8405, 3 p.m.- midnight Monday-Friday or by fax at 771-8430.
Copyright (c) 1996 The State
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