Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Samuel McClain pleaded guilty to March crime spree in northern Spartanburg County 

 

CAMPOBELLO– On Wednesday, November 2, Samuel Olen McClain, 66 of Campobello, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to bank robbery, petty larceny, and attempted armed robbery.

 

According to a release from Solicitor Barry Barnette, on March 30, 2022, McClain entered the Truist Bank in Inman, and presented a note to a bank clerk that read “Give me all your money, be quiet, don’t get hurt.” After the bank clerk hit the silent alarm, McClain fled the scene in a blue truck. Inman Police responded to the scene shortly after, receiving detailed descriptions of McClain’s appearance and getaway vehicle.

 

About an hour later, McClain stole $50 worth of gas from the Briar Patch convenience store in Campobello. The clerk identified McClain as a nearby resident who frequently visited the store. Police recognized the descriptions as being identical to the ones from the bank robbery.

 

An hour after the gas theft, McClain entered the Redi-Mart in Lyman on Highway 357 and presented to the cashier a note with the same message that he gave the bank clerk earlier in the day. The cashier stated that she was not alone and pushed a silent alarm. McClain fled the business without getting any money.

 

After police arrested McClain, he took full responsibility for the crime spree.

 

McClain’s prior criminal record included convictions for armed robbery, grand larceny, forgery, house breaking, receiving stolen goods, escape, criminal domestic violence and carjacking. 

 

McClain will serve 85 percent of Circuit Judge Grace Knie’s prison sentence before he is eligible for release. Assistant Solicitor Eddie Hunter prosecuted the case.