Executive Summary
- Bailey Saturne, 25, was arrested Saturday at a Columbia car dealership following a reported armed robbery.
- Investigators state the suspect implied he was armed and demanded keys from staff members.
- Authorities report the suspect attempted to carjack a civilian vehicle while fleeing deputies on foot.
- Saturne faces charges of armed robbery, carjacking, auto tampering, and petit larceny.
On Saturday afternoon, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department arrested 25-year-old Bailey Saturne following a chaotic sequence of events involving an reported armed robbery and an attempted carjacking on Two Notch Road in Columbia, South Carolina. Deputies responded to the scene at Columbia City Cars shortly after 2:40 p.m. on January 24, 2026.
According to investigators with the sheriff’s department, the incident began when a male suspect entered the dealership and implied he was armed by gesturing under his clothing. Authorities state that the suspect demanded vehicle keys from the staff, who complied with the demands. Dealership employees subsequently observed the suspect attempting to access multiple vehicles on the lot before law enforcement arrived.
Upon the arrival of deputies, staff members identified the suspect, who immediately fled the scene on foot. During the ensuing pursuit, authorities allege that Saturne attempted to commandeer a vehicle from a civilian passerby. Deputies successfully intercepted the suspect and took him into custody without further incident.
Procedural Next Steps
Bailey Saturne has been formally charged with armed robbery, carjacking, auto tampering, and petit larceny. This incident underscores the operational challenges law enforcement faces when suspects move from commercial properties into public spaces during evasion attempts. The swift containment likely prevented injury to civilians during the secondary carjacking attempt. As the investigation proceeds to the Richland County judicial system, prosecutors will likely rely on witness testimony and potential surveillance footage from the dealership. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
