Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Seneca Teenager on Attempted Armed Robbery Charge

Michael Shane Dale

(Walhalla, SC)------------------------------------An 18 year old Seneca man remains in jail today, after his bond was denied, on charges of Attempted Armed Robbery and Pointing and Presenting a Firearm at a Person in relation to an ongoing investigation into an incident that occurred at a Seneca area business on Sunday.

18 year old Michael Shane Dale, of S. Townville Street, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center at around 1:07pm Sunday.  Dale’s bond was denied on both charges during a bond hearing.  Dale will appear before a Circuit Court Judge, at a later time, regarding his bond.

A 14 year old male was detained by the Sheriff’s Office on the same charges in relation to the same incident.

Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Bureau responded to the business location on Sandifer Boulevard near Seneca late Sunday morning in regards to reports of a person with a weapon. When Deputies arrived on scene, they began an investigation. 

During the course of the investigation, Deputies obtained evidence that Dale, and the 14 year old, had entered a bathroom of the business after the victim, an adult male, had entered the same bathroom.  Deputies also received information that Dale had pointed a firearm at the victim inside the bathroom.  Deputies located a firearm, a 9mm handgun, inside of Dale’s vehicle. 

Based upon evidence that was obtained during the investigation, arrest warrants were obtained against Dale.  According to an arrest warrant, Dale did attempt to commit a larceny, while armed with a handgun, as Dale ordered the victim to empty his pockets with the stated intent to rob him by use or threat of force. 

The 14 year old was transported to a Department of Juvenile Justice facility in Columbia and a Juvenile Referral Packet will be completed on his charges. 

At this time, and based on the evidence obtained so far, the Sheriff’s Office believes that this is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.