Cayce authorities need your help finding a masked gunman whose attempt to rip off a local business went bust. But investigators still consider him a dangerous man -- wanted for kidnapping, as well as the armed robbery.

Though busy most of the time, closing time is usually quiet time at the Pizza Hut delivery place on Charleston Highway, in Cayce.

"[It was a normal night], one employee was cashing out the register," says Cayce Detective Shannon Radford. "... putting [the day's cash] in a bag, the others were just cleaning up."

But just after 10pm, September 1st, Detective Radford says that quiet was shattered when a young masked robber went after the three workers locking up for the night.

"[It was] one fluid movement," says Detective Radford. "[He] walks in the door here, goes to the counter goes to the desk there. They assume he's trying to rob the place with the gun and mask."

Confronted with the firearm, the 3 female employees ran out the back door. Turns out, that may have been the best move they could have made. After returning with police and going back inside, they realize the robber hadn't gotten a single thing. The money had already been placed in the business's time locked safe, so the teen gunman was out of luck. Investigators think he may have been a first-timer.

"The age, the way [he] looked," says Detective Radford. Nothing was ever said so it could have been the first time."

But first time or not, investigators say they're still coming after this unsuccessful suspect. If caught, they say he will soon see how seriously officers consider his illegal actions.

The suspect faces kidnapping charges, for attempting to keep the victims from leaving the building. Though somewhat vague, the composite sketch is the best one witnesses could come up with.
Police hope someone watching knows his identity. If you think you do, call Crimestoppers at 1(888) 559-TIPS.

Armed Robbery Suspect

Police need your help identifying an armed robber, who pistol-whipped a terrified young woman and got away clean. "Betty" is not the victim's real name, she spoke with us under the condition we hide her identity. "It took me about 5 minutes for it to hit me that something wasn't right," she says. For Betty, the overnight shift on December 9th began like any other. But shortly after midnight that would all change. "I guess I thought this must be a joke to begin with." It was that night, while she went about her work that a hooded man walked into the Pitt Stop, whipped out a gun and ordered her to hand over the cash in the register and in the safe. "Next thing I know, he started hitting me with the gun." Angry, apparently because Betty could open the safe, the gunman struck Betty once, then a second time before taking off with some cash. "He seems a little nervous about this robbery," says Detective Jamie Beckham. "When he comes in, he waits a minute before he comes up to her and at that point he pulls out the gun." For Detective Jamie Beckham, the crime is disturbing, in a town that doesn't see many this violent, especially when the victim did what she was told. "That is our biggest concern," says Detective Beckham, "with this crime is that she never really offered any resistance and gave him everything he wanted." Betty says, "He'll do it to somebody else, that's my fear." It's a crime Betty and authorities fear may have far worse consequences the next time around. The clerk who was attacked suffered several cuts to her face and a broken finger, trying to ward off her assailant. The video surveillance captured a very good look at the attacker. Police say his attempts to conceal his identity fell short when he lashed out at the clerk, allowing one of the security cameras to capture his image. The man is 5'8" and weighs about 150 pounds.  He was last seen driving a white compact or sedan. If you know anything about the robber's identity, please call Crimestoppers at 1(888)559-TIPS or #CS on your Alltel Cell Phone.