Jeff Watson

jwatson@thecherawchronicle.com

PAGELAND--- Two suspect - 18-year old Kristi Hurd and 23-year old Amanda Martin of Monroe, N.C. - will face armed robbery charges after being charged with carrying out a pair of armed robberies at Subway of Pageland.

Bond hearings for both suspects will take place today at Pageland Municipal Court.

The first robbery took place on June 11 and the second robbery took place on June 16.

According to Pageland Police Department Assistant Police Chief Larry Brown, Martin is said to be the driver of the getaway car, while Hurd is suspected of going into the business and carrying out the robbery.

Brown said that a phone call from an anonymous source helped tie together loose ends and led investigators to the two suspects.

"About a week ago, we had someone who called the station that wanted to remain anonymous and they said they had information about the robberies," Brown said. "The person advised me of some things that were said about the robberies. Some of the details that were provided in the interview were things that would only have been known by someone who had been there."

Hurd and Martin are also suspected of carrying out three robberies in North Carolina. Brown said they are suspected of robbing Domino's Pizza locations in Wadesboro and Locust, N.C., as well as Subway in Waxhaw N.C. Brown said the gun used in the Waxhaw robbery was a .380 automatic weapon, but the other four robberies were conducted with at .357 magnum. Brown also said that the two targeted smaller towns because there were fewer police officers.

Brown said that further investigation showed that Hurd was off work each night one of the robberies took place. A photograph during the robbery also helped identify Hurd.

"Kristi had a job at a restaurant in Monroe, N.C.," Brown said. "Amanda had lost her job. They paid car payments, car insurance and gas for Amanda and they paid cell phone bills for the both of them. They also took a trip to Atlanta, Ga."

"I'm just glad we solved the case as quickly as we did to diffuse rumors," Brown said. "I just also thank God that no one was hurt. I would advise store owners and managers to update video surveillance equipment. They should have equipment with audio and video."