According to Lt. Tim Thornton, the North Augusta Department of Public Safety (NADPS) responded to a tip claiming to have direct personal knowledge of a pending armed robbery of a local business as their employee made the night deposit at their bank. This information was received by members of the Criminal Investigation Division and a plan was devised to successfully prevent the crime from occurring.

According to Lt. Tim Thornton, on the morning of Wednesday, March 11th, 2009, the North Augusta Department of Public Safety executed a lawful search warrant at the residence of Derek Mealing, located on the 400 of Alta Vista Avenue, in North Augusta, SC.

The search is on for a man who investigators say held up the Security Federal Bank in North Augusta. Click for more information.