Suspect injured after store employee fights back during attempted armed robbery

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - A North Charleston man was hospitalized with head and facial injuries Tuesday night after police said a vape shop employee fought back during an attempted armed robbery on Rivers Avenue.

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Officers with the North Charleston Police Department responded just before 11 p.m. to the Vape and Smoke Shop following reports of a robbery in progress. When officers arrived, they found extensive damage inside the store, with merchandise scattered across the floor.

Police said another responding officer had already detained the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Justin Allen Adkins, who had suffered injuries during the confrontation.

According to investigators, surveillance video showed Adkins entering the business and speaking with an employee while keeping one hand concealed inside a brown paper bag. Police said Adkins demanded money and claimed he had a ".22," referring to a .22-caliber handgun.

Authorities said the employee refused to comply with the demand, prompting Adkins to allegedly threaten to shoot him before throwing items around the store and damaging property inside the business.

A physical altercation followed, and the employee was able to pin Adkins to the ground until officers arrived at the scene, police said.

What's next:

Adkins was taken to a local hospital for treatment before being booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center.

He faces charges of robbery while armed with a deadly weapon and malicious injury to property under $2,000. The incident remains under investigation by the North Charleston Police Department.