From Staff Reports
Authorities seek men in restaurant robbery
Authorities are investigating an armed robbery at an Augusta restaurant early Saturday.
An employee locking up at 1:22 a.m. at Chuck E. Cheese in the 3400 block of Wrightsboro Road was driving away when a dark green Kia Rio blocked him, according to a Richmond County sheriff's report.
Two black men exited the Kia and approached the vehicle, and one pulled out a silver handgun. The robbers told the man to enter the restaurant and open the safe.
After getting the money, the robbers drove away, headed west on Wrightsboro Road.
One robber is described as being in his mid-20s, 6 feet 3 inches tall and about 150 pounds, wearing a gray T-shirt, black shorts and black, red and white shoes.
The other man is described as being dark-skinned with a goatee, in his mid-20s, about 6 feet 1 inch tall and about 140 pounds, wearing a black shirt with a silver design and black hat.
Anyone with information can contact the Richmond County Sheriff's Office at (706) 821-1080.
Warehouse fire was caused by cigarette
Aiken County investigators have determined that a Graniteville warehouse fire Wednesday was ignited by a discarded cigarette butt.
The blaze started around 1 a.m. Wednesday at Genco Distribution Systems, a subcontractor of Kimberly Clark, in the 1000 block of Global Avenue, according to an Aiken County Sheriff's Office news release.
Investigators discovered that a cigarette butt discarded by an employee into an area of loose paper caused the fire. The fire had been investigated as arson. No criminal charges will be filed.
Graniteville-Vaucluse-Warrenville Volunteer Fire Chief Phil Napier said 50 employees were evacuated without injuries Wednesday. Water damage and lost production time could cost the company close to $1 million.