Sheriff: Man arrested after taking matters into his own hands | Crime

Thanks to a tip from Crimestoppers, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department arrested a man wanted for attempted murder.

Deputies arrested 39-year-old Ronald Watkins. 

The report said Sunday morning investigators conducted a traffic stop and identified Watkins as the driver of the vehicle. According to Sheriff Leon Lott, Watkins had a handgun inside the vehicle which was later identified as the weapon used in the attempted murder. 

At 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6, deputies responded to Country Townes of St. Andrews at located on Piney Grove Road to a shots fired call, the report stated.

Sheriff Lott said Watkins shot the victim multiple times stemming from a previous altercation.

Deputies say the previous altercation occurred on Friday, February 1, at Capital Foods located at 4709 Broad River Road where Watkins purchased some items and placed them in his vehicle.

According to the report, Watkins went back inside the store to retrieve the rest of his groceries when he spotted the victim reaching inside his vehicle.

A fight ensued between the victim, his accomplice and Watkins.

The victim and his accomplice fled the scene on foot.

Deputies say as Watkins pulled up to his home, the victim and the unknown suspect were waiting on him.

The report said the two assaulted Watkins, and stole his groceries.  

"He was the initial victim," said Sheriff's Department spokesperson Curtis Wilson. "He was at the grocery store on Feb 1st. He goes to his vehicle puts groceries in there, then he goes back to the store. He sees the victim reaching inside his car, inside his bag."

Sheriff Leon Lott stated that the victim in this case is also under investigation for additional robberies; charges could be forthcoming. Sheriff Leon Lott stated that while no one wants to be a victim of crime, it’s also against the law to take matters into your own hands. Please let law enforcement handle apprehending these criminals who commit crimes against law abiding citizens. Sheriff Leon Lott stated that Watkins has been transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

The victim was transported to Palmetto Health Richland with serious injuries, and is now in stable condition.