COLUMBIA -- Updated Thursday May 14:
Columbia police say the seven teenage boys arrested in connection with a rash of home invasions and robberies were starting a gang called "Squad-Up."
The gang members are believed to be responsible for beating a man in a wheelchair with the butt of a shotgun.
"Information that we've received is that 'Squad-Up' has been identified as a potential gang for the last several months in the downtown area," said Columbia Police Sgt. Ken Hammond.
Hammond says the group is suspected in two home invasions, one on Old Plank Rd., and Bent Oak Dr. and a burglary at a clothing store on W. Business Loop.
There is also an attempted robbery at Domino's Pizza on Towne Dr., and investigators tell KRCG there may be more charges stemming from crimes that took place as early as December.
Police do not believe the Squad-Up gang was involved in the beating of a delivery driver over the weekend.
Original story:
Columbia police arrested two teenage brothers along with five other teens, who they think are connected to several robberies, burglaries and home invasions during the past two weeks.
The descriptions of Avery Nelson, 18, and Wesley Nelson, 19, resemble members of a group of four young black males seen at several recent crime scenes.
Authorities say the Nelson brothers used the butt of a shotgun to hit a 62-year-old disabled man several times in the head while he sat in his wheelchair. That attack happened during a home invasion at 3700 Bent Oak Drive on May 4.
“During the course of the investigation and interviewing the witnesses and suspects, we suspect they along with others were possibly involved with several other recent crimes," said Columbia Police Sgt. Ken Hammond. "Including burglaries and robberies.”
The Nelson brothers both face charges of first-degree robbery and armed criminal action.
Seventeen-year-old Devin Jackson was arrested for first-degree robbery on Bent Oak Dr.and second-degree burglary for an April 29 break-in of the clothing store New York Fashion at 601 Business Loop 70. He was picked up yesterday afternoon during a drug bust on Third Ave.
Seventeen-year-old Antoine Johnson-Harris was arrested on two counts of first-degree robbery from the Old Plank burglary.
Seventeen-year-old Amileo Lawson was arrested on robbery and burglary charges.
The two other juveniles arrested face second-degree burglary for the New York Fashion break-in. One of the juveniles faces two counts of first-degree burglary for the Old Blank and Bent Oak robberies.
Investigators are still searching for any possible accomplices of the Nelson brothers. They are trying to link Avery and Wesley Nelson to a home invasion on Old Plank and an attempted robbery at the Domino’s Pizza on Towne Dr.
The brothers could also be responsible for a recent robbery and attack of a 18-year-old female Sub Shop sandwich delivery driver who was struck in the head and kicked in the ribs.
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