By Teddy Kulmala
The State
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — A Richland County sheriff’s deputy was hospitalized after being attacked when he confronted two suspects during a burglary Friday.
The two suspects, Jose Perez, 17, and a 15-year-old juvenile, were charged in connection with the break-in and assault.
The deputy, Christopher Soward, was responding around 11:30 a.m. to a burglary in progress on the 8500 block of Old Percival Road near Interstates 20 and 77, according to Lt. Curtis Wilson, a sheriff’s spokesman.
Soward was attacked and knocked out by Perez, said sheriff Leon Lott Friday night. The deputy sustained an injury to his head and remains in serious but stable condition at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital, Lott said.
Perez was charged with assault and battery, unlawful entry into a dwelling, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, and malicious injury to personal property. He was being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
The juvenile was charged with breaking and entering into a motor vehicle and unlawful entry into a dwelling. He was released to the custody of his parents, Lott said.