Spartanburg County Solicitor's Office
Samuel Olen McClain gets 18 years in prison for crime spree.
Samuel Olen McClain, 66, of Campobello, pleaded guilty to bank robbery, petty larceny and attempted armed robbery.
On March 30, 2022, Inman police responded to the Truist Bank on Asheville Highway in reference to a robbery. A bank clerk stated McClain presented a note that said, "Give me all your money, be quiet, don't get hurt." The clerk hit the silent alarm while McClain noticed a second bank employee going into an office. McClain told the clerk she was lucky and left the business driving a blue truck. Bank employees were able to give detailed descriptions of McClain’s appearance, clothing and his getaway vehicle
About an hour later, McClain drove to the Briar Patch convenience store in Campobello and stole $50 worth of gas. The clerk identified McClain as a nearby resident who regularly visited the store. Police also recognized the suspect description and the getaway vehicle as being identical to the bank robbery.
About an hour after the gas theft, McClain drove to the Redi-Mart convenience store on Highway 357. He entered the store and handed the clerk the same note used during the bank robbery. The clerk pushed a silent alarm and told McClain she was not alone. McClain fled the business without getting any money.
After his arrest, McClain accepted responsibility for the crime spree.
McClain’s prior criminal record included convictions for armed robbery, grand larceny, forgery, house breaking, receiving stolen goods, escape, criminal domestic violence and carjacking. He will serve 85 percent of Circuit Judge Grace Knie’s prison sentence before he is eligible for release.
Assistant Solicitor Eddie Hunter prosecuted the case.