Suspect in Indian Land ATM robbery turns himself in

The suspect in last week’s robbery of a woman at an automatic teller machine turned himself in and was arrested, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.

Paul Thomas Morgan, 22, of Indian Land, was arrested June 22 and charged with common law robbery, Sheriff Barry Faile said in a statement.

Before the arrest, the Sheriff’s Office shared images of the robbery taken by a surveillance camera at the Founders Federal Credit Union ATM as well as images from another surveillance camera at a nearby Walmart that showed a possible suspect and asked the public to help identify the person in the photos.

After the images were posted online by local media, including the Fort Mill Times, calls came in to the Sheriff’s Office with information that led to Morgan. He contacted an attorney who arranged for him to surrender, Faile said. Morgan was arrested about 5 p.m. last Wednesday and booked into the Lancaster County Detention Center.

“This investigation highlights the value of good video surveillance and media and citizen assistance in law enforcement investigations,” Faile said. “Very soon after we circulated the pictures of Morgan, he was identified and in custody. We are thankful the victim was not harmed and are happy her robber has been arrested.”

A woman told deputies she was robbed about 9:30 p.m. June 20 after she pulled up to the ATM at Founders Federal Credit Union on Charlotte Highway (U.S. 521) in Indian Land, to withdraw cash. The robber was apparently watching the ATM from the grassy area near the back parking lot and walked up to the victim’s car from the rear, pulled his shirt up to partially conceal his head and face and demanded money.

The suspect told the victim he would not hurt her if she withdrew money and handed it over. She complied, and the robber apologized before leaving on foot toward Harrisburg Road, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The victim told deputies the robber never showed or mentioned a weapon.

This story was originally published June 21, 2016 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Suspect in Indian Land ATM robbery turns himself in."