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Two suspects held in Bluffton convenience store heist

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Two men being held on charges stemming from the armed robbery of a Beaufort fast-food restaurant last month now face additional charges for allegedly robbing a Bluffton convenience store in May.

Twayne O. Simmons, 25, of Beaufort and Joshua A. Allen, 20, of Yemassee, were served warrants at the county jail Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the armed robbery of the Buckingham Pantry early May 23.

In that incident, a man -- later identified as Simmons -- approached the clerk and acted as if he was purchasing a cigar, according to Cpl. Robin McIntosh, spokeswoman for the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

When the employee opened the cash register, the robber pointed a handgun and removed the cash.

He then got into a waiting vehicle driven by Allen and drove toward Hilton Head Island, McIntosh said.

Detectives were able to identify Simmons as the robber by comparing similarities between the incident and other recent armed robberies in Hardeeville and Beaufort, including the robbery of a McDonald's on June 27. The three law enforcement agencies collaborated to solve the crimes, McIntosh said.

The men were taken into custody by the Beaufort Police Department last Friday.

Simmons now faces a total of three counts of armed robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a violent crime and one count of conspiracy.

Allen is charged with one count of armed robbery, one count of possession of a firearm during commission of a violent crime, one count of conspiracy and one count of being an accessory after the fact.

Both men are awaiting bond hearings.

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