Police: Bluffton men stole food, assaulted manager -- twice

Two Bluffton men were arrested Wednesday after they allegedly stole steak, shrimp, chicken and pizza worth $200 from an Okatie grocery store, assaulted a store manager before fleeing, then returned to assault the manager again, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff's Office report released Friday.

The men filled a cart with groceries at Food Lion on Okatie Village Drive, according to the report. They walked out without paying.

When the manager asked to see their receipt, the 30-year-old suspect yelled at him.

The second suspect, 25, ran outside and pulled up in a Buick Skylark before throwing a full can of Budweiser at the manager, striking his forehead, according to the report.

The first suspect then lunged at and verbally threatened the manager, the report said.

The men then jumped into the Buick and fled, according to the report.

Several minutes later, the driver returned. He ran into the store and began punching the manager, according to the report. The manager pushed the man away when the other suspect came from behind and started punching the manager again, the report said.

Several employees then held the two men down in the produce department until deputies arrived.

The men were treated at Beaufort Memorial Hospital before being taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center, the report said. They were arrested on charges of shoplifting and simple assault and remain in the detention center on $2,185 bond each, according to the jail log.

The Buick was towed.