Deputies: Columbia family returns home, thwarts attempted burglary

A Columbia family returned to their home near Faraway Drive Wednesday evening to find two suspects attempting to burglarize their home, according Richland County Sheriff’s Department officials.

Lt. Curtis Wilson, a department spokesman, said the family, a husband, wife and two kids, had returned to their home in the 1600 block of Crestview Avenue at 10 p.m. when they noticed a burgundy colored vehicle in their driveway.

Wilson said the victims pulled in behind the vehicle, which is when two burglary suspects exited the home. The suspects demanded that the victims move their car. When they didn’t, Wilson said the suspects got into their vehicle and backed into the victims’ vehicle three times.

With the victims still refusing to move, Wilson said one of the suspects fired a shot at the victims’ vehicle, striking it in the front.

The suspects then drove through the front yard and through a fence, fleeing the scene, Wilson said.

After further investigation, Wilson said deputies learned that the suspects gained entry into the home by forcing open a carport door to the kitchen. Televisions had been disturbed, but Wilson said the victims reported that nothing appeared to have been taken from the home.

Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact Crimestoppers at 1 (888)-CRIME-SC.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 8:22 AM with the headline "Deputies: Columbia family returns home, thwarts attempted burglary."