Ronheim Syron Dease, age 25, pled guilty this week for robbing the Simba Express convenience store located on Frink Street in the city of Cayce. Circuit Court Judge William P. Keesley sentenced Dease to 12 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Solicitor Rhonda Patterson.

When this incident occurred, officers with Cayce Department of Public Safety responded to the scene after the victims called 911 reporting two masked men entered the business and demanded money as they presented handguns. An undisclosed amount of money was stolen. The men left the store and ran to an awaiting car that was parked in an adjoining parking lot. The men were spotted by law enforcement and it was apparent that two additional individuals played a role in the robbery.

Cayce Department of Public Safety attempted to initiate a traffic stop and a 25 mile pursuit followed that lasted approximately 27 minutes with the driver exceeding speeds of 90 miles per hour. Once the vehicle was forced to a stop by law enforcement, Dease along with the other individuals attempted to flee on foot, but were apprehended after a short foot chase. Officers recovered handguns, money, clothing items, and masks from the robbery during the search of the car.

The investigation was a joint effort by officers with Cayce Department of Public Safety and the Swansea Police Department. The officers’ quick response and teamwork resulted in the apprehension of three of the individuals. The fourth person has not been identified.

Dease will be transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to begin serving his prison sentence.