An alert neighbor helped the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office foil a home invasion Monday night.

Lieutenant Chuck Hasty said a resident on Tanager Lane in Hollister saw three men with guns outside their neighbor’s house.

The neighbor yelled and the men went into the woods.

Deputy Jason Keeter was responding to the call when he noticed a car speeding from the area.

When Keeter stopped the vehicle two of the passengers got out and ran. He detained Melvin Jones III of Gillburg.

During investigation by Sergeant Paul Ward and Detective Tyree Davis, the investigators determined Jones and the other men were allegedly going to rob the homeowner.

Keeter charged Jones with attempted first degree burglary, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana. He was jailed on $100,000 bond and has a November 3 court date.

Investigators discovered the driver was Tyson Rasheen Lynch of Warrenton.

Warrants were issued for his arrest on the same charges as Jones except for the marijuana charge and additional charges of resist, delay and obstruct, driving without a license and speeding.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8201 or Halifax County Crimestoppers 252-583-4444.