3 arrested in Florence County home invasion

Three men have been arrested in connection with a home invasion that happened a week ago in Florence County, Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone said in a press release issued Monday.

Dominic Williams, 17, of 1102 Lawrence Drive, Florence, and Malcolm Jenkins, 17, of 1110 Hollings Ave., Florence, and Rodney Allen, whose age and address weren’t available, each is charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill, first-degree burglary and armed robbery, Boone said.

Deputies said three men knocked on the door of a Maxwell Street home about 1 p.m. Dec. 14 and asked to speak to “Dante,” according to the sheriff’s office. After the homeowner said he knew no one by that name and closed the door, they returned a short time later.

When the homeowner answered the door, told them again that no one by that name lived there and shut the door, the men blew the doorknob off with a shotgun and entered the house. When the homeowner and his wife ran to hide in their bedroom, the intruders fired at the bedroom door.

No one was harmed, but a purse was stolen from off the couple’s couch, according to the sheriff’s office.

Florence police located the suspects’ vehicle, a black four-door Pontiac G6 on North Irby Street. The suspects, however, threw the shotgun and the stolen purse from the vehicle on Dargan Street. Both items were seized as evidence.

The three suspects were arrested about 5 a.m. Saturday after SWAT deputies searched a residence on North Hollings Avenue in Florence, Boone said.

All three suspects remain in custody at the Florence County Detention Center in Effingham awaiting bond hearings before a circuit court judge.

The sheriff’s office is still investigating a second home invasion case that happened a week ago and left one man dead.

The shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday at a 317 Plantation Drive residence outside Lake City, Boone said. Four men walked up to the door and fired shots into the residence.

A man who was inside fired shots back, hitting and killing one of the intruders, Boone said.

The dead man was identified as 23-year-old Shawn Singletary of 532 Shantay Lane in Lake City, Florence County Coroner M.G. “Bubba” Matthews said.

Investigators still are looking for the three other suspects, Boone said.

It’s not clear whether the man inside the home will face any criminal charges in connection with the shooting, Boone said.

Anyone with details about this crimes is asked to call the sheriff’s office (843) 665-2121 or CrimeStoppers of the Pee Dee at (888) CRIME SC (274-6372).