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Serial Armed Robber Convicted in Columbia, SC
COLUMBIA, S.C. – In a major blow to the Midlands’ crime wave, serial armed robber Deveon Antonio Belk, 36, of Irmo, has been convicted of 15 counts in connection with a string of armed robberies that terrorized local businesses between Nov. 9 and Nov. 16, 2020.
The evidence presented by the Government at trial established that Belk robbed at least seven Columbia and Lexington-area businesses at gunpoint, including Wendy’s, Dollar General, Family Dollar, CVS, SKS Mart, and Dollar General.
The robberies took place at the following locations:
- Nov. 9 at Wendy’s at 95 Woodcross Dr., Columbia, S.C.
- Nov. 10 at Dollar General at 6246 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, S.C.
- Nov. 11 at Family Dollar at 4524 Monticello Road, Columbia, S.C.
- Nov. 13 at CVS at 4627 North Main St., Columbia, S.C.
- Nov. 15 at Dollar General at 536 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia, S.C.
- Nov. 15 at SKS Mart at 1615 Decker Blvd., Columbia, S.C.
- Nov. 16 at Dollar General at 7145 Broad River Rd., Irmo, S.C.
Belk used a distinctive black Saturn sedan in many of the robberies, parking nearby and approaching the businesses on foot before brandishing a black and silver Ruger 9mm pistol and demanding the register or safe be emptied.
Thirteen victims testified at Belk’s trial, including one who was 16 years old at the time of the robbery. Many victims testified that they were afraid for their lives during the robberies.
Every robbery, as well as Belk’s approach to and flight from many of the crime scenes, was recorded on surveillance video. Belk’s DNA was found on clothing left near four of the seven robberies, and on the firearm that he used in every robbery.
Belk was arrested on Nov. 17, 2020, at a Lexington apartment, where police found the firearm Belk used in every robbery, the shoes he wore in multiple robberies, and the Saturn.
Belk was convicted of 15 counts: seven counts of Hobbs Act robbery, seven counts of Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, and one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. He faces a mandatory minimum of 49 years in federal prison following the firearm brandish in connection with a crime of violence convictions, plus any additional term of imprisonment he receives for the robberies or the firearm possession count.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis presided over the trial and will sentence Belk after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report that will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.
Belk’s conviction highlights the good work of local law enforcement and the tireless efforts of the Government to bring justice to the victims of these heinous crimes.
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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