CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTW) – The ATF announced Friday they are offering up to $10,000 in exchange for any information that leads investigators to the arrest of the people responsible for a deadly shooting and a string of robberies in two states.
Horry County police responded to a deadly shooting and a carjacking at the Food Lion off of Highway 9 in Longs on August 15. When officers arrived, they found 57-year-old Jerry Celentano had been shot to death. The suspects then stole a grey in color Nissan Altima from the Food Lion and proceeded to rob the Carolina Inn in Loris, a person on Fox Bay Road in Loris and also the Quick Mart in Chadbourn, North Carolina.
The press release also states the same suspects are accused of stealing a vehicle at the Time Saver Convenience Store located near the North Carolina/ South Carolina state line.
According to the ATF, as many as three suspects were involved in the crimes listed. James Laverne Bellamy was arrested Wednesday in North Carolina, but two suspects are still wanted by law enforcement.
Horry County police have obtained warrants on Bellamy for the murder in the Food Lion parking lot and the armed robbery of the Carolina Inn minutes later in Loris. Police say they also plan to charge him in relation to the strong armed robbery on Fox Bay Road in Loris.
Anyone with information about these crimes should contact ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867), email ATFTips@atf.gov, or contact ATF through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips. Tips may also be submitted to ATF through the ReportIt ® app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com. Additionally, tips may be provided to HCPD tip line at 843-915-TIPS.
