CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – A man who is in jail charged with multiple counts of armed robbery is now a suspect in a cold case murder.
Conway police recently reopened a cold case murder that happened in April 2016. During the investigation, police were able to obtain a warrant for the arrest of Antonio Xavier McCray.
Detectives worked for years to try to solve the case, however, Chief of Conway police, Dale Long says it was the persistence of the victim’s family that eventually led to McCray’s arrest.
“They never quit working, and because of their ability to stay in their community and asking people to please tell me what you know, eventually they were able to persuade some people to come forward who were not as open and forthcoming with us,” Chief Long said.
Chief Long says those witnesses were key and provided police with new statements containing enough information to arrest McCray.
“When we eventually were able to track down the source of the info provided to us, and they did confirm that it was accurate, it was like finally, this is the break that we needed,” Chief Long said.
In the cold case murder, Jahalil Raheem Rashada Drayton was killed on April 3, 2016 at 1520 5th Avenue in the City of Conway. Police said during their new investigation and reviewing evidence and statements, they were able to arrest Mccray for the murder of Jahalil Drayton.
McCray was already in the Horry County Detention Center after being arrested on multiple charges of armed robbery in Conway, including two at the Carolina Payday Loans on Church Street.
Police said on November 15, McCray attempted to rob Upfront Loans on Church Street.
“Mr. McCray entered Upfront loans. He had a firearm. He demanded money. They were only open for about a week so they didn’t have any money to give him,” said detective Josh Scott.
Scott said McCray then ran over to Carolina Payday Loans, presented the same gun, and demanded money.
“They did give him an undisclosed amount of money on that occasion,” said Scott.
Less than two weeks later, police said McCray came back to Carolina Payday Loans for more money, but left behind evidence that helped police.
Chief Long says McCray will likely go before a general sessions judge for a bond hearing for the murder charge within the next month.
Conway police say they currently have several unsolved cases like this one that they are working to solve.