LUGOFF, SC (WIS) - Kershaw County Sheriff's investigators say an alert neighbor helped lead to the arrest of three men wanted for burglarizing a home in Lugoff.
Deputies arrested 20 year-old Marquis Dashan Smith, 20 year-old Louis Edison King, Jr., and 20 year-old Manasseh Kerrar Hawkins Thursday.
Sheriff Jim Matthews says at about 10:30 a.m., an alert neighbor called 911 and reported seeing a suspicious vehicle back into the driveway of a home on Redwing Drive.
The vehicle drove away as the neighbor approached the home. The neighbor then went to the back of the house where he saw King who ran away. Sheriff Matthews says the neighbor provided deputies with a clothing description, vehicle description and direction of travel of the vehicle and suspects.
Responding Kershaw County deputies were able to locate and arrest Hawkins near the home.
Another deputy in the area saw two men running toward a van with SC government license plates. When the deputy pulled the van over, he found Smith lying on the floor of the van.
The Kershaw County Sheriff's Office bloodhound tracking team was called to a wooded area nearby to find King, who was hiding in the garage of another home.
Matthews says King is charged with 2nd and 3rd degree burglary and criminal conspiracy. Both Smith and Hawkins are charged with 22nd degree burglary and criminal conspiracy.
According to Matthews, Hawkins has prior arrests for possession of marijuana, assault and battery, shoplifting and minor traffic violations. Smith has prior arrests for marijuana possession, grand larceny, receiving stolen goods and he is currently on probation for burglary. King has prior arrests for shoplifting , breach of peace, petty larceny and breach of trust with fraudulent intent.
"Citizen involvement was a key factor in solving this crime," said Matthews. "I don't necessarily recommend that an unarmed civilian confront burglary suspects, but in this case we had a good outcome and we appreciate the help."
All three suspects are awaiting bond hearings at the Kershaw County Detention Center.
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