Arrests made in Charleston Asian restaurant robberies (Update: Plea, trial)

Image by Flickr user Mykl Roventine

(Updates at the bottom.)

The joint law enforcement task force formed following the wake of dozens of robberies at area Asian restaurants by a gun wielding duo has announced the arrest of two suspects, only they haven't said if they believe these are the same two.

Instead Christopher Donnell Simmons, 31, of Wadmalaw Island and Raynard Montel Eady, 28, of North Charleston are charged in connection with the armed robberies of a Cash Advance and U.S. Money Shops location in the last month.

I'll point you to ABC News 4 for a pair of mugshots and The Post and Courier for a rehashed press release. There's certainly more coming on this one, we'll keep you connected to the latest.

Update January 8: In all, three men were charged in alleged connection with the robberies: the previously mentioned Christopher Donnell Simmons and Raynard Montel Eady, and Eady's brother, Winard.

But only the Eady brothers are now scheduled to go to trial as Simmons has taken a plea agreement, the details of which have yet to be released.

I'll point you to The Post and Courier's report for more information (subscription).

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