SOUTH CAROLINA — A Goose Creek man was arrested early Wednesday morning following a stabbing and burglary at a North Charleston motel, according to police.
Jerome Harper Jr., 44, is charged with first-degree burglary and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
North Charleston police responded around 4 a.m. to the Siesta Motor Lodge on Rivers Avenue after receiving a report of a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found the victim being assisted by several people after suffering injuries during an altercation. Witnesses told officers Harper fled west on Rivers Avenue.
With assistance from civilians in the area, officers located Harper in a nearby vacant lot. Police said Harper had also been injured and was taken into custody.
Investigators said Harper had sold clothing to the victim about a week earlier and believed he had not been fully paid. Harper told officers the victim had threatened to assault him.
According to police, the victim said Harper followed him into his motel room while demanding payment. Fearing for his safety, the victim said he used a knife to stab Harper in the arm in an attempt to force him out of the room.
Police said Harper then used a four-way lug wrench to shatter the front window of the motel room before pulling out an unidentified sharp object and stabbing the victim.
Harper was taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center. The incident remains under investigation.
