BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–A Berkeley County jury convicted Chris Nathaniel Williams this week for the May 7, 2016 armed robbery that took place at a residence located in the Hamlets subdivision of Goose Creek. He was also convicted of two counts of kidnapping, assault and battery, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in connection to that robbery.
That same jury also convicted him for a June 10, 2016 attempted armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime at the same residence. Circuit Court Judge Kristi Harrington sentenced Williams to Life Without the Possibility of Parole for the armed robbery, two counts of kidnapping, and attempted armed robbery. On each of the remaining charges he was given five years to run concurrent with the life sentences.
The May 7th armed robbery occurred in the Goose Creek neighborhood as the homeowners pulled into their driveway and exited their vehicle. Williams attacked and restrained one of the victims from behind before cutting him on the hand with a knife. Williams then struggled to take a money bag from the other victim before he fled down the driveway. He made off with the money bag and some of the victims’ belongings. The victims soon set up security surveillance at their home and a few weeks later provided law enforcement with footage of Williams suspiciously showing back up at the residence.
As a result, Goose Creek Police began a diligent undercover operation that lasted several days. Over the course of the operation, Williams was seen on numerous days by undercover officers and also captured by police cameras in the area. On June 10th, Williams and a co-defendant were observed arriving in the neighborhood and again walking to the victims’ residence. The two men hid in a group of bushes in the backyard and waited for the victims to return home.
As the victims’ vehicle pulled into the driveway, Williams and the co-defendant rushed from the bushes towards the vehicle before being intercepted by Goose Creek Police who were hiding under the house next door. Williams and the co-defendant threw a taser and a can of mace back into the bushes. Williams also had a knife similar to the one used in the May 7th robbery. A third co-defendant was arrested for both robberies and identified as being the get-away driver and lookout. She has pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
Williams had been previously convicted of armed robbery, housebreaking, assault, and domestic violence. Based on his criminal history the Solicitor’s Office filed a Notice of Intent to Seek Life Without Parole which, in turn, subjected Williams to a mandatory life sentence upon his convictions.
“The verdict justly reflects the nature of Williams’ actions and the sentence was appropriate based on his record and the fear he subjected the victims to over the course of five weeks,” said Assistant Solicitor Chip Cannon.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitors Chip Cannon and Kamila Szymczynska-Sas.
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