Trio charged in robberiesBy Nita Birmingham (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, July 25, 2008
Koestner 
Johnson 
Williams MONCKS CORNER — The man in the white ball cap pulled a .44-caliber handgun from his waistband Wednesday and pointed it at three female South Carolina Bank and Trust tellers. "We are here to clean y'all out," he declared. He directed the employees to allow his accomplice, a woman wearing dark sunglasses, into their secure work area. She went to each teller and collected about $27,100 in a white bag. The pair left in a tan Ford Taurus driven by a second man. But a Berkeley County sheriff's deputy soon stopped the car in Cross, and all three were arrested. Police said one of the tellers recognized the man and woman from photographs Dorchester County sheriff's detectives released following two bank robberies in their jurisdiction. Authorities said Thursday they have linked the three suspects, all from Bloomington, Ind., to three local bank heists. Moncks Corner police charged Lawanda Dee Johnson, 24; Auric Dylan Koestner, 30; and Brandon Evan Williams, 21, with bank robbery, conspiracy to commit bank robbery, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and use of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Berkeley County sheriff's deputies also charged Johnson with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute after they found 3.7 grams of cocaine in her possession, Sheriff Wayne DeWitt said. The three are being held at the Hill-Finklea Detention Center in Moncks Corner. They'll be served with warrants Monday charging them with entering a financial institution with the intent to steal in the July 18 robbery of the Enterprise Bank of South Carolina in Ridgeville, Dorchester County Sheriff's 1st Sgt. Mike Miller said. Harleyville authorities will draft warrants for similar charges against the three in the robbery of the South Carolina Bank and Trust, which occurred about 40 minutes after the Ridgeville robbery, Miller said. Nobody answered the telephone Thursday at the Indiana address given by Koestner. Contact numbers couldn't be located for Williams and Johnson. DeWitt said Williams told him he grew up in North Charleston. Williams, Koestner and Johnson do not have prior arrests in South Carolina, according to the State Law Enforcement Division. It wasn't clear Thursday how long the three have been in the state or where they were staying. The 2004 Ford Taurus authorities said was used as the getaway car in each robbery is registered in Indiana. Berkeley County Sheriff's Deputy Pat Gunnells heard the lookout for the car after Wednesday's bank robbery at 317 N. U.S. Highway 52. Gunnells had pulled his patrol car off SC Highway 6 at Mudville Road. He'd been sitting there about five minutes when a Ford Taurus approached. It first appeared there was no one in the car but the driver, but as Gunnells hit his blue lights, a second head popped up from the passenger seat. The Taurus pulled over at Airborne Way and Ranger Drive. As Gunnells approached the car, he saw a man lying down in the back seat. DeWitt and Berkeley County sheriff's Maj. Ricky Driggers praised Gunnells' takedown of the suspects. The deputy has about 30 years of law enforcement experience. "He's a seasoned veteran and he handled it perfectly," DeWitt said. Deputies who later searched the car found a .44-caliber handgun, a large amount of cash in a bag under the passenger seat and clothes and glasses that matched those of the suspects, a report stated. Reach Nita Birmingham at 937-5433 or nbirmingham@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 35 comment(s)
Posted by iceman1978 on July 25, 2008 at 1:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Three more pieces of trash that will hopefully be off the street for a while. I wonder who produced these model citizens?
Posted by sethook on July 25, 2008 at 1:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a tragedy. Three young people who were probably denied a fair chance by society to grow and demonstrate their full potential. Hopefully, with some forgiveness from the court system, these people will be allowed to start fresh and bring some good into their lives and those around them. It would be a real shame to see these people locked up and taken away from their families and loved ones over a few mistakes.
NOT
Hope they end up in jail for an extended stay and get to perform at the beck and call of Bubba and Ms. Bubba.
Posted by iceman1978 on July 25, 2008 at 2 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sethook, After hooking up with Bubba they should let everyone know which department store they've registered at. I'm sure that the edition of prison living has great ideas on china sets.
Posted by ForPnC on July 25, 2008 at 4:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sethook - You were getting me fired up for a second there.
Great job, Deputy! Thanks for being there for us!
I just hope the judicial finishes them off the right way.
Posted by ForPnC on July 25, 2008 at 4:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
judicial *system* I meant to say.
Posted by RW on July 25, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Quick get the ACLU. All they were doing is redistributing wealth like our govt does!
Posted by feb251939 on July 25, 2008 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
("We are here to clean y'all out," he declared.)
""We are here to lock y'all up," police declared.
Posted by Tammie on July 25, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Damn they're stupid. I would have slipped that wonderful dye pack in there for good measure. That was the first thing we were taught to give bank robbers when I used to work for a particular bank that shall remain nameless.
Posted by geekboy on July 25, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's great!!! Three Yankees come here to steal from us, and the state of South Carolina, in another display of southern hospitality, has turned the other cheek and will invite the three Yankees to stay at one of our state run bed and breakfast inns for the next 10 to 20 years.
Amenities they will receive include weekly showers, three meals a day, a warm bunk, and more a.s.s.-raping than they can ever imagine.
I know we all hope they'll enjoy their stay.
Posted by EvilGenius on July 25, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sethook - I almost had a tear in my eye.....NOT! LOL
Posted by Early on July 25, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Indiana has to have a lower school system than ours to produce such dumb-asses. You rob three banks using the same car and plates um? Well, after a three year cocaine high, seems they will have plenty of rehab time. The white dude, aka baby face will make sweet meat in the big house.
Posted by jeff61 on July 25, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"We are here to clean y'all out," he declared...
I am sure thier future cell mates will be telling them the same thing
Posted by Weeeee on July 25, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gunnells, you own. I'm friends with Gunnells' son, and I can assure you he was prepared when he approached the car. You continue to provide a great service to the area, Pat. Thank you.
Posted by Larz13 on July 25, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Note to judge-
NO BAIL.
Posted by ln1959 on July 25, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dumb, Dumb, Dumb...Thats all I can say...One bank a day fools. Dang, they went to the wrong "Bank Robber" training school.
I guess they were looking at to many Pretty Boy Floyd movies. The only problem is, they forgot that back then, cops did not have radio's.
Lock there a z z up for 20 years on being dumb and another 20 years for coming from the north to steal from the south. Oh, and Williams who grow up in North Chuck, what can we say...
Posted by Lois_Lane on July 25, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great job Berkeley County. My highest regards for Gunnells. These guys risk their lives each and every day and I hold them all with the highest respect. Bravo to all involved. Kudos to Lt. Bowen also! These kids will now get a chance to grow up in the SC Prison system. My suggestion is deploy 'em to Afghanistan. To hell with locking 'em up behind bars so my tax dollars can feed and house these hoodlums.
Posted by Kirstie on July 25, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe you would actually disclose an actual dollar amount from the robbery. In doing this you have created feelings of distress for the tellers. I know it does make for a great story but sometimes some information should be omitted out of respect for those involved. These ladies went through a very traumatic event and now they have to worry about this.
Posted by Hutch on July 25, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In due time this trio of robbers will
reap what they have sowed.
Posted by Kirstie on July 25, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My hat goes off to all law enforcement officers that played a part in capturing these criminals. Thank you for all of your hard work!!
Posted by ysillyme on July 25, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Note to all~
Indiana is the midwest not the north. secondly, when they said they were there to clean them out, obviously castor oil was their original weapon of choice. Finally, that white fella made such a bad impression on those 2 people of color that he should serve all the time combined. With O'Bama as their Messiah, they wouldn't naturally act thata way, ask Dot.
Posted by I_Love_d_Peninsula on July 25, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ignorance is bliss people.
Geek boy:
Indiana is in the Midwest but I guess you don't really learn anything in your southern schools except how to spot a yankee and tie down a trailer huh?
Glad they were caught. lock em up and throw away the key.
Posted by CaptPete on July 25, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Carter's Fast stop camera gave the police some good clues. You never know when you are on camera. Good work
Posted by hoyce on July 25, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When will these people learn that robbing banks isn't worth it!
Posted by geekboy on July 25, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Indiana is in the Midwest but I guess you don't really learn anything in your southern schools except how to spot a yankee and tie down a trailer huh?"
*******************************
LMAO... is that the best you've got? Why'd you even bother?
Posted by I_Love_d_Peninsula on July 25, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by geekboy on July 25, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Indiana is in the Midwest but I guess you don't really learn anything in your southern schools except how to spot a yankee and tie down a trailer huh?"
*******************************
LMAO... is that the best you've got? Why'd you even bother?
Ok, really, you're stupid, but that's not the point.
Tell me how have you contributed to the betterment of South Carolina?
Posted by Early on July 25, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by I_Love_d_Peninsula on July 25, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by geekboy on July 25, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Indiana is in the Midwest but I guess you don't really learn anything in your southern schools except how to spot a yankee and tie down a trailer huh?"
*******************************
LMAO... is that the best you've got? Why'd you even bother?
Ok, really, you're stupid, but that's not the point.
Tell me how have you contributed to the betterment of South Carolina?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By shooting yankees at 100 yards or better!
Posted by geekboy on July 25, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Ok, really, you're stupid, but that's not the point."
Ok, that one actually was funny.
"Tell me how have you contributed to the betterment of South Carolina?"
Well, for starters, I don't go around robbing banks.
Posted by I_Love_d_Peninsula on July 25, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Early get a life. Nobody's talking to you.
Geekboy: that obeying the law. Any law abiding citizen does that! try again.
Posted by I_Love_d_Peninsula on July 25, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Early,
I would comment to your post, but I don't think committing violent acts aganist innocent people are humorous and worth my comment. Nevertheless,I think these people will, SCPD, and SLED you may have found the person wanted in those random shootings.
Posted by Early on July 25, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I_Love_d_Peninsula, just keep looking for a comeback, go sit on the john for a while maybe something will pop-out besides the crap you spewed out in this comment below!
Posted by I_Love_d_Peninsula on July 25, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ignorance is bliss people.
Geek boy:
Indiana is in the Midwest but I guess you don't really learn anything in your southern schools except how to spot a yankee and tie down a trailer huh?
Posted by sj301 on July 25, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was surprised the article included a dollar amount. "An undisclosed amount" would have been the banks' response. Insurance coverage doesn't allow the disclosure of how much was taken. Also, the first thing a teller is taught with regards to a robbery is "do what they say".
Posted by seriouslyb4real on July 25, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bank Robbers should be hung in town square!
Posted by reality_woman on July 25, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great job Berkely County, and Deputy Gunnells. You risked your life and took the trash off our streets.
God Bless you and aleays keep you safe.
Posted by lowcountrydawg on July 25, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These three morons msut have run out of money for some blow...we'll they'll have plenty of time to sober up now!!
Posted by frugal4life10 on July 30, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not worth to break any laws to throw away your good future for jobs. No one wants to date or marry anyone with criminal records. No one will hire anyone with criminal records for the jobs.
Glad they got caught and belong to the prison to pay for their crimes. Thanks to all law enforcement officers that played a part in capturing these criminals. Thank you for all of your hard work!