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Five arrested in Kershaw crime spree
Posted: 05.17.2011 at 9:15 AM
Updated: 05.18.2011 at 2:35 PM
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Singleton (left), Lewis (center), Drakeford  / KCSD
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CAMDEN (WACH, AP) -- Officials with the Kershaw County Sheriff's Department have arrested five suspects in connection with a crime spree over the past several days.

Sheriff Jim Matthews says 23-year-old Frank Singleton III, 20-year-old Curtis Drakeford, 34-year-old Jerome Lewis of Camden, Arthur Macklin III and 26-year-old Randy Lewis were arrested Tuesday after a quick investigation.

Deputies say the men committed several crimes since Thursday, one being a fatal home invasion.

Investigators say the armed men kicked in the door of a home near Camden shortly before 11:30 p.m. Monday.

Deputies say 39-year-old Michael Hayes was in the home on Sandspur Road and died after he was shot several times when he couldn't open the safe to give the suspects money.

The men forced Hayes' wife into a getaway car along with her 5-day-old baby and the safe. Investigators say the suspects told her to keep her head down or else she would be shot as well according to Sheriff Jim Matthews.

Officials say the suspects later dropped off Hayes' wife.  She got in her car and went to a neighbor's to call 911.

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Matthews says this doesn't appear to be a random crime.  Deputies found large amounts of drugs in the victim's home.  He says the suspects are also thought to be responsible for several other home invasions and a grocery store robbery in the area.

Matthews credits other agencies involved for the arrests.

“This crime spree has been resolved quickly due in large part to the cooperation with SLED and the Camden Police Department,” Sheriff Matthews said. “Getting these men off the streets quickly was a top priority. We could not have done this without the help of all agencies involved.”

Singleton has been charged with murder, armed robbery, first degree burglary, two counts of kidnapping and weapons charges.

Drakeford has been charged with murder, accessory after the fact and armed robbery.

Jerome Lewis has been charged with murder, armed robbery, two counts of kidnapping and first degree burglary.

Randy Lewis has been charged with accessory to armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Macklin has been charged with murder, two counts of kidnapping, armed robbery, first degree burglary and conspiracy.

According to Sheriff Matthews, a bond hearing on all of the suspects is scheduled for Thursday.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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