Man beaten and robbed in Sears bathroom

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By NBC Augusta Staff

Story Published: Nov 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM EDT

Story Updated: Dec 4, 2008 at 9:08 AM EDT

AUGUSTA, Ga. – A man is in the hospital after being attacked, beaten and robbed in a department store bathroom at Augusta Mall.

According to the incident report, Lawrence Stephens went to the bathroom at the Sears store and was attacked by two men.

He says they took his wallet, keys, watch, and credit card.

NBC Augusta 26 News talked to the victim's son-in law.

“He was staggering around, he had blood all over his face. His glasses were broken and he had lacerations to one eye,” said Stephen McKinney, victim’s son-in-law.

Stephens will need to have plastic surgery.

Investigators remind everyone to always travel in groups and be aware of your surroundings.

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Wednesday, Dec 10 at 1:59 PM Crimson wrote ...

What makes this case so obscene is this. This man was with his wife and family getting ready to have pictures made. A working, tax paying, contributor to the world. And then what. Low life scum thugs take what he is working hard for and has worked hard for. What have the scum involved done! When caught and they will be, Ms District Attorney make examples out of them, PLEASE.

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Monday, Dec 8 at 5:59 PM PCEZ wrote ...

BIGT193 and BURKE, you may think my claim is ignorant and ridiculous, but I have facts on my side. What is sick and sad is your refusal to acknowledge them. When both malls were open, Regency Mall had a high rate of crime, the other one didn't. Then Regency Mall closed because no one wanted to go there because of the crime. Then Augusta Mall's crime increased exponentially. You call me ignorant, but I have facts to back my claim. Your blind and ignonant not to see it. Have fun at the mall.

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Monday, Dec 8 at 11:09 AM Observer wrote ...

In reference to comments from HYPOCRITE. A good point was made, but are we supposed to be all smiles because the mall puts a deputy in a little part of the parking lot! Get real. The Mall is the biggest attraction in CSRA. They, the Mall, should have many cameras, security features and regular upgrades in place. They are bringing the citizens to a central location, many citizens. The Mall should hire security pros for this. Sorry deputies are not security pros.

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Sunday, Dec 7 at 8:24 PM Augusta lady wrote ...

People, please be careful not to blame Sears or the mall personnel to the point of lawsuits. Neither of them, or a humongous number of people force can possibly guarantee 100% our safety anywhere all the time. Lawsuits only cost us all. We all must be on guard and alert to the scum who would not only rob but obviously beat severely innocent people. I am ready to give a beating back!

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Saturday, Dec 6 at 7:22 PM Actnow wrote ...

Security is a joke if it were funny. They need trained competent people.These thugs would probably kill an older person if they were beaten that badly.

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Saturday, Dec 6 at 6:40 PM Jessie wrote ...

Everyone believes that carrying a gun will help. How is this if he was attacked from behind? Are you suppose to know this is going to happen so that you can hurt them first? His 3 year old grandson was shopping with him and luckily not in the bathroom at the time. What type of person is that showing him to be to carry a gun everywhere he goes? Whose to say if he had something to fight back since it was more than one person they wouldn't have killed him?

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Saturday, Dec 6 at 8:18 AM HYPOCRITE wrote ...

Some of the comments are silly. There is no cover up going at the mall. Crime is everywhere you go. As for the off duty Deputies. The fact that the mall employs these deputies should be appreciated. Otherwise you would have beat cars tied up all day responding to the mall and other businesses, which mean that they would not be out patrolling and protecting you.

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Saturday, Dec 6 at 12:18 AM Taxpayer wrote ...

nbcnews.augusta here is a story for you. With talk about security at the Mall, investigate this. Off duty deputies work in the parking lot. They are driving county vehicles, using county gas. Average pay is $16.oo an hour cash. Should they at least repay the county $2.50 an hour for car/insurance/gas? Is this unfair?

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Friday, Dec 5 at 11:54 PM boots1 wrote ...

This is just another good reason that people should get their concealed weapon permit. I don't leave home witout my pistol. You just might save your own loved one's life if you do the same.

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Friday, Dec 5 at 12:33 AM Crimson wrote ...

Attention Richmond County Commissioners, Augusta-Richmond County Visitors and Convention Bureau. Are you getting the picture? Or are you waiting for the crime scene to go away at Augusta Mall. For the time being let's forget about the dollar signs and get with the program. It's a regular crime scene at the Mall. The public only gets to hear about a very small percent of the criminal activity there. Yea, there are Night Clubs with regular criminal activity with smaller crowds. Enforce the Mall

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Thursday, Dec 4 at 10:18 PM 0593 wrote ...

why haven't this story been on channel 6 and 12. also the stories of cars being broken into and people being robbed in the parking lot.

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Thursday, Dec 4 at 10:12 PM 0593 wrote ...

hope he's going to get a lawyer and sue the mall, sears and the security company. as i hope the next person thoses two meet has a gun and kills both of them.

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Thursday, Dec 4 at 9:30 PM Mary wrote ...

My prayers go out to the victim and his family. This crime is evidence that you can't "go" anywhere without the risk of being harmed. I hope that the perpetrators are caught soon before they can harm anyone else. I don't think that carrying guns is the answer. This only leads to more crime, violence, harm to innocent bystanders, and potential harm to yourself. Besides, if you are attacked unexpectedly, you're not going to have your gun drawn to fire anyway.Jist pray and stay alert at all times!

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Thursday, Dec 4 at 9:05 PM MOM'SGOTAGUN wrote ...

Malls in other cities have rules that strictly pro-hibit loitering, and teens under 16 being there with-out a guardian. Merchants or the tax payers should not have to babysit or incur the costs of keep-ing the thugs out of these stores. I would not shop at the mall, or go to the deserted restrooms,without a loaded 9mm or 357. And, if the THUGS can read--"Make My Day" because I will blow you away! Too bad Mr. Stephens wasn't ready for you. But, thanks to him, I will be!

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Thursday, Dec 4 at 4:33 PM TrojanMan wrote ...

I think they need to be a little more harsh on the people who commit these crimes. They do stupid stuff like this and then are out in a few months, if ever caught! ONe idiot robbed someone last week and when they finally caught him, he was tapped being placed in the police car saying "I'll be back in two years!" Then again, prisons are made better than vacation spots now a days anyway! They have everything they need in there!

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Thursday, Dec 4 at 10:29 AM Spirit wrote ...

Mr. Stephens I am wishing you a speedy recovery. I hope this does not ruin your Christmas spirit, there will always be bad in the world but good shall prevail .For every evil person there are two good that don't get recognized.

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Thursday, Dec 4 at 7:35 AM PAB wrote ...

I will be praying for this man and his family. Do not let it keep you from the Mall. that is just what they want you to do, so they can take over. also these men need prayer that they will find God. If we get more people praying and believing in God these kind of things will stop. I really pray that this injured,innocent man gets well soon. He did not deserve. The Mall does need more security and the security people need to really be on alert. I also wonder what happened to security camera's? AB

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Wednesday, Dec 3 at 10:33 PM Build More Jails wrote ...

Did you think going to the Restroom would put a person in the hospital! I only wish the best for this young man. Remember most street thugs will not go at it alone. Animals in groups are real trouble and should be put down. Sears, hope you get your act together. What are you going to do for this man?

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Wednesday, Dec 3 at 9:59 PM JLN wrote ...

LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF PUNKS IN JAIL AND YOU CAN FIGURE WHO IT WAS THAT COMMITS THESE CRIMES, IT'S GOING TO GET WHERE WE ALL ARE HAVING TO CARRY A GUN ESPECIALLY WHEN ALONE. THEN WHEN YOU HAVE USE IT CALL THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER AND HAVE A PICTURE OF THEM LAYING THERE DEAD. IT MIGHT STOP THEM FOR A WEEK OR SO.

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Wednesday, Dec 3 at 6:29 PM db wrote ...

I hope they show the these criminals the same lack of humanity they leveled on this innocent man. These criminals think they are the angry ones and that they deserve to have what that man worked for. I'm pretty angry that I can't shop at the mall without fear of being beat up. Sales could get worse. At some point the real shoppers won't show up anymore.

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Wednesday, Dec 3 at 5:13 PM Missy R wrote ...

Don't like Sears anyway.

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Wednesday, Dec 3 at 3:48 PM Sista wrote ...

Hey jdub, ignorance is a virture but yours is pathetic. Distribution of wealth, huh? Someone's life was in jeopardy let's hope this does not happen to you. Prayers are with the Stephens family for a speedy and full recovery

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Wednesday, Dec 3 at 2:25 PM momof5 wrote ...

First of all it happened in Sears not the mall. The mall Security is not in Sears. I am sure that there is a camera on the way into the bathroom why cant we get a look at the picture of the person that came out around the time this happened. I only hope that Mr. Stephens can get better and still have a Happy Holiday Season. And I am sure that Sears will beef up the Security and so will the mall around this time of the year.

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Wednesday, Dec 3 at 2:25 PM Ms. V wrote ...

It's sad when you can't even go shopping because of such people as them, just waiting and watching for someone to rob.

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Wednesday, Dec 3 at 2:22 PM Ms. V. wrote ...

I agree with PCEZ, this mall is turning out like the old Regency Mall.For one thing there are thugs hanging out and such. They aren't even there to shop.They should not be able to just hang out there.

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Wednesday, Dec 3 at 1:56 PM BIGT193 wrote ...

ITS A SHAME ABOUT THE CRIME. BUT TO PCEZ THAT HAD TO BE THE MOST IGNORANT COMMENT EVER. WHAT THE REGENCY MALL HAVE TO DO WITH THIS. IS IT BECAUSE MORE URBAN KIDS WERE THERE.THATS A SICK THOUGHT FROM A SICK PERSON. ANYWAY MY HEARTY GOES OUT TO THE VICTIM AND IT WAS WRONG NO MATTER WHO THE SUSPECTS WERE. AS PAST TIMES HAVE PROVEN, HOLIDAYS UNEMPLOYMENT = CRIME. BE CAREFUL FOLKS......

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Wednesday, Dec 3 at 12:49 PM Concerned Citizen wrote ...

First and foremost my prayers go out to the victim and his family. We pray for total healing, succesful surgery, and a speedy recovery. The assailants need to caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This is a senseless crime and it take less energy to go out and get a job. Prison will be a good working environment for them, you don't need any skills, just commit a crime.

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Wednesday, Dec 3 at 9:35 AM oldfella1962 wrote ...

I really don't see how blaming mall security helps. Even if they make every effort to be "everywhere at once" if criminals are out to rob someone, they will find a way (and a place). With Augusta's sky-high dropout rate I'm surprised more muggings don't happen. I think things will get way, way worse before they get better hee in Augusta. Hope they catch these punks...but I doubt it. Hopefully they will "eat a bullet" soon.

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Tuesday, Dec 2 at 3:53 PM Not Enough Security wrote ...

I go a lot to the mall. I also watch 1 security guard go into a candle store regularly and not come out for a while. We may see a guard 1 time if at all while we are there. Tell them to talk less work more. You can't while flirting.

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Tuesday, Dec 2 at 10:13 AM BURKE wrote ...

I would like to comment to PCEZ...what does the regency mall closing have to do with a person being robbed??? You should be considering that a human being was injured...bottom line. To Mr.Stephens we hope you get better and hopefully they will find whoever did this to you, because all the trouble makers come from the Regency Mall....how ridiculous is that....wow

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Monday, Dec 1 at 8:37 PM timereader wrote ...

show there faces when they get caught.and i'm sure they will.

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Saturday, Nov 29 at 2:26 PM PCEZ wrote ...

Just another result of the Regency Mall closing. All the trouble makers moved from one location to the other. I am sorry, but I bet I could give a good description of the criminals without ever seeing them. The mall security know who the trouble makers are right when they come in, but I am sure the fear of being labeled as "profilers" prevents them from doing anything. Oh well. I don't go to the mall anyway, but I am sure this will continue to happen unless they take bold steps.

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Friday, Nov 28 at 10:14 PM A CONCERNED CITIZEN wrote ...

I am very sorry about what happened to this gentleman.I pray and hopes he will be ok.You know it's sad you can't go to the restroom and be personal without others waiting to do harm to the innocent.We will continue to pray for his recovery.Please get well soon.

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Friday, Nov 28 at 7:07 AM Audrey wrote ...

I hope they catch the punks.Thats what wrong w/ peoples like that.They to sorry to work ,Got to beat and rob people.Catchs theses punks,People needs to carry a pistol w/ them.Show these punks somthing.I hope this man gets better,I hope you see their day in court for what they done to you!!!!

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Thursday, Nov 27 at 11:47 PM colbyjack wrote ...

Sorry this crime happened to such a great person. Lack of security at the Augusta Mall is appalling.

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Thursday, Nov 27 at 9:22 PM BGL wrote ...

This is one of the reasons I don't go to Augusta Mall very much anymore. Crime can happen anywhere, but there does seem to be an awful lot of very suspicious people hanging out in that mall. Last time I was there, I came out, and there were cops investigating a car that had apparantly had its' window busted out in broad day light.I don't go there unless I am with someone else, and since we all have to work, that is not very often.They also need more security.

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Thursday, Nov 27 at 8:23 PM Terry wrote ...

Please try to not go alone anywhere, including public bathrooms, if you have any choice in the matter. I know that may be annoying and inconvenient at times, but there is more safety in numbers.

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Thursday, Nov 27 at 3:32 PM eric wrote ...

cowards do things like this and these guys have done it before and they will do it again

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Thursday, Nov 27 at 11:53 AM jdub wrote ...

Just a little Urban redistribution of income. The CHANGE hasn't started yet, I guess

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Thursday, Nov 27 at 9:56 AM Does it really matter? wrote ...

I hope only the best for this man and his family. No one should have to suffer or be in fear like that. It is imperative that someone be held accountable- including the Augusta Mall, who also has the responsibilty to properly protect their patrons!

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Wednesday, Nov 26 at 10:34 PM Kentucky Todd wrote ...

What happened to the mall security cameras??? these guys went int the rest room and out they surely record these areas? Its a shame that a person cant go to the restroom and have to be on guard. I hope they catch these crimals or (cowards) cause it take a retty low person to do a terrible thing like this. thanks and may God bless him and his family!!!!!

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Wednesday, Nov 26 at 8:04 PM M FAMILY wrote ...

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

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Wednesday, Nov 26 at 8:06 AM A true friend! wrote ...

I just have one thing to say. Please Please please let me have them for just a few minutes. You won't ever have to worry about those two committing another crime EVER!

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Wednesday, Nov 26 at 4:48 AM Barack O'bama wrote ...

should have had a gun with him.

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Tuesday, Nov 25 at 11:58 AM Jenn wrote ...

I hope they find the two men that beat the man at Sears, and put them away..People like that don't need to be on the loose..Hope someone beats the crap outta them..Better yet, it would be nice to see them behind bars for the holidays.

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