AUGUSTA, Ga – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office swiftly responded to an armed robbery attempt at the Family Dollar on Broad Street, which occurred on the evening of December 27, 2025, around 8:48 p.m.

According to the investigators from the RCSO, two suspects entered the store and managed to steal an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. Their escape, however, was not without incident.

As the suspects fled the scene, a bystander in the parking lot attempted to intercept one of them using a vehicle. In response, one suspect fired a shot at the would-be Good Samaritan, though fortunately, the firearm jammed before any further harm could be done, as reported by Chief Lewis Blanchard.

The suspects subsequently abandoned their getaway plan involving vehicles and took off on foot, disappearing behind the business.

In the aftermath, deputies from various units, including the K9 unit, were dispatched promptly to the scene, demonstrating a coordinated response to the unfolding situation.

One suspect was located a few blocks from the scene and taken into custody. Through continued investigation all suspects were arrested and brought into custody.

Through this investigation officers learn that Travis Hamilton, Zachariah Jenkins, and Willie Ivey had been driving through Augusta throughout the night looking for businesses to rob. The three stopped at two stores before arriving at the Family Dollar on Broad Street. The three suspects decided not to advance due to the number of people present.

RSCO then states, Willie Ivey then parked a getaway vehicle nearby while Travis Hamilton and Zachariah Jenkins entered the Family Dollar and committed the armed robbery.

All three suspects are now in custody and have been charged with felony Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime, and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery.

Investigators also determined that Travis Hamilton is a suspect in a 2022 armed robbery at the same Family Dollar location. Based on this new information, additional charges related to that incident will be added to the other charges listed above.

“In 2024, year to date armed robberies of businesses were at 26. This year, year to date, they are at 17, which represents a 35 percent decrease. DDACTS, Data Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety, continues to work well for our community,” said Chief Lewis Blanchard.

Statement from Sheriff Brantley: “I am extremely proud of the outstanding work by our deputies and especially our Criminal Investigations Division for their excellent investigative skills and quick resolution of this armed robbery. Their dedication, teamwork, and commitment to protecting our community are exactly what the citizens of Augusta Richmond County expect and deserve. I also want to thank all of the units who responded rapidly and worked together to bring these suspects into custody.”

This investigation remains active, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.