WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, Sports3 charged after series of break-ins, manhunt

3 charged after series of break-ins, manhunt

FLORENCE COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Florence County authorities arrested three men following a manhunt off of North Old Georgetown Road early Saturday morning.

Deputies with the Florence County Sheriff's Office arrested Jimmy Joshua Lee, 19, of Scranton, his brother Michael Dean Lee, 24, of Turbeville, and Brandon Hamlin, 24, also of Scranton.

According to authorities, deputies were called to a reported break-in at a home on Union School Road near Coward. The victim reported two suspects in the yard who ran off when lights in the house were turned on around 5:30 a.m.

About 30 minutes later, another caller said two masked gunmen attempted to enter a residence on Shawn Road near Scranton. The men fled when met by the homeowner.

A third call came in at 6:15 a.m. reporting a car break-in on Creek Road. When deputies arrived, the suspects fled into nearby woods on foot. Tracking dogs were able to follow the suspects, and deputies arrested Jimmy Joshua Lee off North Old Georgetown Road. Deputies later arrested Michael Dean Lee at his home.

Investigators also recovered two rifles and clothing believed to have been used in the attempted robberies.

Hamlin was arrested later Saturday on Creek Road.

Jimmy Joshua Lee is charged with two counts of attempted burglary, breaking into a motor vehicle.

Michael Dean Lee was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted burglary, failure to use headlights when necessary, failure to stop for a blue light, breaking into a motor vehicle.

The Lee brothers remain in police custody at the Florence County Detention Center.

Brandon Hamlin was arrested and charged with misprison of a felony. Hamlin was released on bond around 3 p.m. Sunday.

Copyright 2009 WMBF News. All rights reserved.