Gary, Indiana

From the Merrillville Post-Tribune of February 13, 2007

Homeowner shoots burglar

This time Michael Harmon's luck ran out.

The 46-year-old Gary man who was acquitted on burglary charges in June has a new felony charge and a gunshot wound to his leg, all the result of an alleged theft at a Brunswick home earlier this month.

Detective Cpl. Dan Callahan said Harmon of 1079 Jackson St. was charged with burglary after the resident of a home in the 1100 block of Hendricks Street caught the suspect inside and shot him.

Homeowner Waymond Pearson was not charged in connection with the shooting, Callahan said. Neighbors alerted Pearson to the break-in on Feb. 2 after allegedly seeing the suspect leave with items from the house, court records state. Pearson was on his way to coach a basketball team but returned home to find the suspect had returned and was in his bedroom.

"He told the man to get on the floor ... the man continued to come towards him and he shot the man in the leg," the probable cause affidavit states.

When Patrolman Jeff Hornyak arrived, he found Harmon wounded on the kitchen floor. Harmon suffered a broken bone as a result of the shooting, police said.

Police arrested Harmon in November 2005 after residents saw him taking items from New Zion Temple Church, 1701 W. 15th Ave., about 1 a.m. Officers saw Harmon climbing out of the window of the church and apprehended him with some items.

But in June, jurors acquitted Harmon on burglary and other felonies.