Machete-Wielding Victim Chases Off Burglars

A Legend Oaks resident told police he chased off suspected robbers with a machete in the early-morning hours Thursday. Three suspects have been arrested in the case, according to the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office.

According to the victim, two men busted into his home just after midnight and demanded that he and a second victim get on the ground. The suspects allegedly grabbed a television from the bedroom and began looking for other valuables.

Seeing an opportunity at one point, the victim told police that he grabbed a machete from his bathroom and chased the men out of the home. Once in the driveway, he said the two men got into a car driven by a third person.

The victim allegedly struck the rear passenger window of the Jeep with the machete before the burglars drove off. He was able to take down the license plate information and officers pulled over a car matching the discription a short time later.

Deputies arrested three suspects: Deshawn Chaz Hawkins, 22, and Kenyan Lourie, 20, both of Charleston, as well as Andrew Patrick Oneal, 18, of Folly Beach.