Date Release:
March 18, 2026 ccsopr-05
1 Adult, 2 Juveniles Charged with Vehicle Break-In.
Colleton County- On March 17, 2026, at approximately 2AM, Colleton County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a report of an active vehicle break-in in the 3200 block of Beach Road in Walterboro, South Carolina. As deputies approached the residence, they observed a suspect vehicle leaving the area and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The driver failed to yield and fled the scene.
A short time later, deputies located the suspect vehicle, which was unoccupied, after it had crashed near the intersection of Thomas Road and Hydrick Road. Deputies then deployed K-9 units to track the suspect(s). During the search, deputies observed a separate vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed. The vehicle stopped, and an adult female driver was identified and released at that time.
She drove approximately 150 yards away from the initial stop location and was observed stopping in the roadway. Deputies witnessed individuals emerge from the nearby woodline and enter the vehicle.
Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, which fled but was apprehended within a mile due to the vehicle being disabled when a Deputy deployed his tire deflation device, “stop sticks.” The initial vehicle that was crashed in the ditch and unoccupied was identified as the one involved in the earlier attempted vehicle break-in, and the individuals, one adult and two juveniles, were identified as the suspects.
Stolen firearms linked to a previous car break-in report were recovered from the vehicle, and after interviewing the suspects and gathering additional evidence, the suspects were charged with breaking into a Motor Vehicle.
One adult, Dejuan Kardell Hayes (20), was charged with Aggravated Breach of Peace, Failure to Stop for Blue Lights, Breaking into a Motor Vehicle, Child Endangerment, and PWITD Crack. Two juveniles (14 and 16) have been arrested and charged with Aggravated Breach of Peace, Possession of a handgun by a person under 18 years of age, and Breaking into a Motor Vehicle. The juvenile defendants were transported to DJJ in Columbia, SC. Hayes was booked at the Colleton County Jail and released on bond on 3/18/2026. The adult female was cited for Reckless driving and released at the scene.
Additional charges are pending, and the investigation remains active.
If you are the victim of a recent vehicle break-in in the areas of Sandy Springs, Penny Creek, and beach road area call our non-emergency number to report it: (843) 549-2211.
