Feds: Lowcountry men responsible for 39 robberies

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say three men have been indicted for more than three dozen armed robberies of Chinese restaurants, check cashing and loan businesses across the Lowcountry.

Authorities say 29-year-old Winard Eady, his brother 29-year-old Raynard Eady and 33-year-old Christopher Simmons were indicted on conspiracy and weapons charges.

Investigators say the men robbed 39 businesses over nearly two years starting in July 2009. Most of the robberies were in Charleston County, but some took place as far away as Walterboro and Georgetown.

Police at the time thought Chinese restaurants were targeted because they kept a lot of cash on hand and kept back doors open to let out the heat.

All three men are being held without bond. It wasn’t known if they had attorneys.