Two Waffle Houses became crime scenes overnight Tuesday, after one was robbed and the other the site of a shootout.
Investigators say an armed gunman entered the Waffle House, 3164 Deans Bridge Road, within sight of the Bobby Jones Expressway, and demanded money. The robber fled in a dark-colored SUV but was found nearby after his description was immediately broadcast on emergency radio after the robbery, a news release states.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as William Woodrow Wells, 20, of Louisville, Ga. He is charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Two minutes later, at 2:52 a.m., shots were fired at the Waffle House at 1629 Gordon Highway, on the fringe of the Southgate shopping plaza. A window was shot out of the restaurant and a car struck by a bullet, but no one was shot, said Sgt. Dan Carrier. Investigators were still developing suspects late Tuesday afternoon.
At least 27 pieces of gun-related evidence were left behind, marked by small orange cones scattered throughout the parking lot.
“There’s ample ballistic evidence. It was a big shooting,” said Crime Scene Investigator Steve Fanning.
It’s a familiar scene in the metro Atlanta area, where there have been more than 15 Waffle House robberies in the past few months. Metro Augusta had its own rash of robberies back in March and April, with the Waffle Houses in Clearwater, North Augusta and Augusta robbed in a two-week span.
Richmond County sheriff’s Capt. Scott Gay said Tuesday’s events appeared random, whereas the Atlanta cases were targeting Waffle Houses. Gay said most overnight restaurants are doing everything they can to keep patrons safe, including hiring security if necessary.
“The opportunity is there, and it’s problematic for the business,” said Gay.
North Augusta Public Safety checks on all businesses after-hours, but officers especially keep an eye on the 24-hour restaurants, said Sgt. Tim Thornton.
“Obviously they’re going to get more attention (by robbers) than the closed businesses,” said Thornton.
Reporter Bianca Cain contributed to this report.
WRDW web site reports a another Waffle House robbery at the same time as this one was having a shootout. I have yet to see anything about the 16 arrested at first Firday.
The Waffle House on the Gordon Hy....across from Southgate...say it ain't so........can you even have a breakfast without the bullets flying??
Been going on for years there....so what is the story about the 16 arrested at First Friday?
Don't worry, no problems in Augusta, Fred Russell and the commissoners are looking to cut even more than the 41 deputies already removed from the Sheriff's . But hey, at least 44 people got raises, some as much as 15%, just none in public safety.
Maybe the guys were just out of work and down on thier luck and were trying to do a drug deal trying to make some money to feed thier family.
At about $1. per bullet they may be trying to save money by only firing 27 rounds,
instead of everything they had.
Gotta save some ammo for Momma and the kids for back to school "shopping" ya know...
If the reporter(s) think this was, playing with guns, they best stay off the streets :)
(J)asonBennett,
(C)ountyman will explain that these were scenes from a-hitherto-unannounced crime series to be filmed in A-RC. The filming will bring thousands of high-tech, highly-paid jobs to our community.
This story is just a little misunderstanding.
Does anyone fail to understand why (C)ountyman retains his anonymity?
Now I'm glad my wife won't let me out of our house in the Wild, Wild AUG until daybreak.
I have worked near this Gordon Hwy WH since 2006, and I know there have been close to half a dozen shootings there. All the shootings if I recall have been well after midnight. In the 2am to 4am times you are risking your life eating at the Southgate WH, even though there is a Richmond County Sheriff's substation behind Southgate. Do yourself a favor and just stay home at those hours and make yourself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if you get hungry rather than patronize the Waffle House at Southgate in the early morning hours.
The Waffle House: Dining for those who like a measure of excitement with their hash browns.
I've wondered why there's been nothing on the First Friday arrests too.
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