Created: 9/5/2007 4:38:44 PM 
(Richland County) - Sheriff Leon Lott with the Richland County Sheriff's Department announced Wednesday that he will add $5,000 to the usual $1,000 award for the tipster that leads to the arrest of those responsible for a string of robberies.
Deputies say the robberies began in early July and hit the Dentsville and Broadriver Road areas.
Lott stated that the Sheriff's Department is investigating 11 armed robberies that they say are related for a number of reasons.
Investigators say the robberies always target commercial establishments, the robbers are always armed with handguns and they strike at the same time. Also, deputies say the criminals' vehicle description always matches an older model S-10 Chevy tan pickup truck or a green Chrysler 300.
Lott said that the Sheriff's Department has determined that one suspect enters the business while another stays outside as a lookout.
Deputies say the suspect inside places the employees on the ground, takes cash from the cash drawer, and asks for the safes to be opened.
Investigators believe that the suspects are armed with a silver semi-automatic pistol.
If you have any information that could help investigators, please call Crimestoppers at 1-888-559-TIPS. If your information leads to an arrest, Lott says you will receive $6,000.
