The Laurens County Special Operations Response Team was called to a Clinton area home last night after a suspected robbery suspect was determined to be inside with a small child.
Deputy Jamison Taylor responded to Sam’s Country Kitchen on Torrington Road east of Laurens at 7:21 last evening and met with the business owner who said a white male wearing a hoodie sweatshirt with his face covered entered the store. The owner indicated he had observed the subject through a window before he entered and so he had his pistol ready as the subject came in. He reportedly confronted the subject as he came into the store, asking who he was. The man reportedly replied he was joking, and ran from the store. Deputy Taylor viewed video from the store and reports observing a man in a gray hoodie sweatshirt and red shorts entering the store. The video reportedly showed the subject attempting to pull a pistol from the right side pocket of his sweat shirt, then stuffed it back into the pocket due to the store owner already having his pistol out for protection.
The subject was reportedly seen getting into a red car parked on Old Airport Road. Lt. Marty Crain responded to Forest Drive outside Clinton and reported locating the suspect vehicle. He called for backup and other deputies along with officers from Laurens and Clinton responded to the scene. It was determined that the suspect was inside the residence. When officers also determined that a minor child was also inside the SORT team was also called to the scene. The SORT team entered the residence and was able to remove the child from harm’s way while the search continued for the suspect. The subject was located in a bedroom of the house and taken into custody without any further issue. A black .117 caliber BB pistol was reportedly located in the same bedroom. It was taken into evidence, along with clothing the subject had allegedly been wearing.
25-year-old Randal Scott Gambrell Jr. of 261 Forest Road, Clinton was placed in the Johnson Detention Center, where he was being held pending warrants. Investigator Ben Blackmon is in charge of the case.