Off-duty school resource officer stops alleged robber at Northwoods Mall

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – An off-duty master deputy and school resource officer stopped a robbery suspect while shopping at Northwoods Mall on Tuesday.

Charleston County Sheriff Deputy Alexander McKinnon was shopping at the mall when a man walked into the nearby Great American Jewelry and asked the clerk to see some items, the sheriff’s office said.

The suspect then grabbed the jewelry, worth about $60,000, and took off. The store manager followed the suspect and when he tried to grab him was pushed to the ground. During the struggle, the suspect dropped at the merchandise he had stolen.

McKinnon learned of the situation and chased after the suspect while identifying himself as a deputy.

During the chase, the suspect allegedly threatened McKinnon, saying he would call a friend to come and shoot him.

McKinnon then tackled the suspect and detained him until a North Charleston officer arrived and placed him under arrest.

31-year-old Cedric Gardner of Savannah, Georgia was booked at the Al Cannon Detention Center for grand larceny and threatening the life of an official.

“Master Deputy McKinnon’s actions embody all that the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office stands for. As law enforcement professionals, we have the responsibility to serve and protect our community, whether we are in uniform or not,” said Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie. “We could not be prouder of how Master Deputy McKinnon responded at Northwoods Mall, and it should be reassuring to everyone, especially to parents, to know this is the type of individual we have protecting the most vulnerable in our community.”

He previously worked at Mount Zion Elementary School.