Sumter deputies search for 2 wanted suspects after armed robbery

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two suspects in connection to an armed robbery on Saturday afternoon.

Javontae Lewis, 18, of Sumter, and Jayden Hale, 17, of Sumter, are wanted in connection to an incident that occurred Saturday on Childrens Lane, according to Maj. Randall Stewart. The pair met up with a person along North Saint Paul Church Road to reportedly buy a firearm before Lewis turned the gun on the seller and robbed him, Stewart said.

Both then fled, and shots were fired at that victim, but no injuries were reported, Stewart said.

Lewis and Hale are wanted for armed robbery, while Lewis is wanted additionally for first-degree assault and battery, Stewart said. Both are high school students who failed to report for class Monday morning and have been evading law enforcement all weekend.

Lewis is 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Hale is 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Both are to be considered armed and dangerous, Stewart said.

Sheriff Anthony Dennis asks that both suspects voluntarily turn themselves in rather than become fugitives on the run.

Anyone who sees Hale or Lewis, call 911, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 436 - 2000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.