Cousins Accused of $20K Armed Robbery at South Carolina DMV
CHESTER COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA — Two cousins are in custody after investigators say they carried out an armed robbery at a Department of Motor Vehicles office earlier this year, making off with more than $20,000 in cash and checks.
Details of the Robbery
According to arrest warrants, the incident happened on March 5, 2025, at the SCDMV office on Belt Road in Chester. Authorities say 43-year-old Michael Hollingsworth entered the building armed with a gun and stole $12,165 in cash and $8,000 in checks.
Investigators allege his cousin, 43-year-old Rashonda Michelle Hollingsworth, drove him to the DMV and waited outside in a 2015 Hyundai Elantra as he carried out the robbery. The pair fled the scene together after the theft.
Arrests and Charges
Michael Hollingsworth was arrested on September 23 and booked into the Chester County Detention Center without bond. He has been charged by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) with armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
On September 30, Rashonda was also arrested. SLED officials say she admitted to being with her cousin at the DMV on the day of the robbery. She has been charged with criminal conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
Community Impact
The case has drawn attention in Chester County, where residents expressed concern about the robbery taking place at a government office typically considered safe. DMV locations handle large sums of money daily, and law enforcement officials say this makes them potential targets for crimes if security lapses are exploited.
The investigation remains ongoing, but officials say both suspects are now off the streets as the legal process moves forward.
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