Florence Robber Sentenced to 12 Years

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that William Roy Cox, age 35, of Florence, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court to 12 years' imprisonment for robbing a local business.

On July 27, 2008, Cox entered the Food Lion grocery store on Second Loop Road in Florence and approached the register as if to purchase a drink. When the cashier opened the register, he lunged across the counter and stole money from it, before running from the store. Several hours later, Cox entered the Kangaroo convenience store on Cashua Drive and then the CVS Pharmacy on Irby Street and took cash from the cashiers in much the same way. After police received information that the suspect in the robberies was on Palmetto Street, a 20-mile high speed chase ensued. Cox crashed his truck into a field and fled on foot. He was arrested with the help of the bloodhound unit and SLED helicopter.

The case was investigated by the Florence Police Department, SLED, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rose Mary Parham of the Florence office.