SOUTH CAROLINA — A man has been arrested in connection with a bank robbery that took place on October 22, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
The robbery at TD Bank on University Parkway prompted a lockdown at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Bluffton Campus on Tuesday.
Authorities said Jasper County Communications received a 911 call reporting the robbery in progress, and both the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and Hardeeville Police Department responded to the scene.
Witnesses told investigators the suspect, described as a Black male, fled the area on a bicycle. Detectives later determined he abandoned the bike in a wooded area and left in a small white SUV.
Through the investigation, officials identified the suspect as Elton Clinton Atkins. A few hours later, officers with the North Charleston Police Department stopped a vehicle connected to Atkins and took him into custody.
Atkins is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston County, awaiting transport back to Jasper County.
The Sheriff’s Office thanked several agencies for their assistance, including USCB Police, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Hardeeville Police Department, FBI, Solicitor’s Office, SLED, SCDNR, North Charleston Police Department, and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant German at (843) 540-2681.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
