A Cherokee County sheriff's deputy, armed with a shotgun, keeps watch on a clear-cut field along Union Highway on Tuesday afternoon during a manhunt for a suspect in the robbery of a nearby convenience store. K-9 Tracking Team members caught the suspect, later identified as Tracy Dale Rice of Spartanburg, several miles into the woods after he allegedly ditched his car on Dawkins Road. (Ledger photo / TIM GULLA) A 42-year-old Spartanburg man was taken into custody on a strongarm robbery charge following an intense manhunt in the Corinth area Tuesday afternoon.

Identified by Chief Deputy Joel Hill as Tracy Dale Rice, whose last known address is Boot Hill Court, Spartanburg, Rice was taken into custody by members of the Sheriff’s Office Tracking Team deep in the woods near Asbury Road and Dawkins Road in the southern portion of the county off Union Highway.

Rice allegedly grabbed cash from Moss’s Mini Market on Union Highway and then fled in a vehicle, according to Sheriff Bill Blanton. A witness, possibly an employee of the convenience store, followed Rice and relayed information to police through Cherokee County 911.

TRACY RICE As officers closed in from all directions, Rice allegedly ditched his car on Dawkins Road and fled into the thick woods.

“They (the dog team) tracked him for probably several miles through some rough terrain,” Blanton said. He said some portions of the woods were so thick you could barely see daylight.

The tracking team had gone so deep into the woods, which is criss-crossed by circular ATV and deer trails, that members were instructed by radio to pop a canister of red smoke so other observers on the ground, and in the air, could help guide them back to a roadway.

A Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office helicopter was called in to help observe from the air.

Blanton credited his tracking team for their efforts.

“They did a heck of a job,” he said.

A full report on what transpired at Moss’s Mini-Market was not immediately available at press time. Blanton didn’t know how much money was taken from the store.

Rice was booked on a strongarm robbery charge. Hill said the Sheriff’s Office determined there were several outstanding warrants against Rice as well, including warrants for fraudulent checks, forgery, and a bench warrant.

Blanton said he was apprised that security video from the store showed no weapon was involved in the incident.

During the manhunt, armed deputies and investigators made a large perimeter around the area to block off any escape routes, and blocked traffic on Asbury Road and Dawkins Road.