Hero Marine Breaks Knife To Prevent Stabbing During Stafford Chick-Fil-A Robbery: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — Three Marines are being hailed as heroes after they prevented a stabbing during a robbery at a Stafford County Chick-Fil-A on Saturday. One of the Marines broke the suspect's knife in half, the Stafford County Sheriff's Office said.

The victim was not stabbed during the assault, authorities said.

The sheriff's office identified the suspects as a 17-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy. The teens were arrested and taken to the juvenile detention center.

The older teen is charged with assault and battery, robbery, and attempted felony wounding. The 14-year-old is charged with assault and battery and robbery.

The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Chick-Fil-A on Dunn Drive. Witnesses told deputies that two teens approached the victim and started an argument before assaulting him.

During the assault, one of the suspects pulled out a knife, according to the police report.

"Three nearby Marines quickly jumped into action and attempted to separate the parties," the Stafford County Sheriff's Office said. "One of them broke the knife in half to prevent further harm, and the two suspects quickly fled."

The victim reported the teens had run away with his phone. Deputies found the suspects in a CVS parking lot nearby and took them into custody.

Deputies found the stolen phone with one of the suspects and returned it to the victim, authorities said.

"Thank you to the hero Marines who stepped up in order to protect the victim," the sheriff's office wrote on Facebook. "Without you, this altercation could have been a lot worse."