Man wanted in false armed robbery reports

SUMTER, SC (WOLO) — Sumter Police are searching for a man involved in making at least two false armed robbery reports. 30-year-old Brandon Hampton of Florence faces two counts of grand larceny and two counts of conspiracy. Detectives believe Hampton and another suspect collaborated on armed robbery reports involving a Murphy’s Gas Station employee. On Aug. 6. Jessica China, an employee of the convenience store told police that a man approached her payment window and demanded cash at gunpoint. Then on Sept. 6, officials say China told police that while at a bank making a store deposit, a man entered her vehicle, presented a handgun and demanded she drive to a remote location in Sumter County. China, 28, said she was able to flee, officials say. Detectives determined both reports were false. China was arrested on Sept.10 and and is charged with two counts of filing a false police report, two counts of breach of trust with fraudulent intent and two counts of conspiracy. She was booked at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center and was later released on bond. Anyone with information about Hampton’s whereabouts are asked to call the Sumter Police Department at 803-436-2700. Tips can also be given anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.