Peoria, Illinois

Even criminals can be victims. From the January 16, 2006 Peoria Journal-Star:

PEORIA - A South Peoria man who shot at people breaking into his house was indicted for being a felon in possession of a weapon.

Ronald D. Harris, 36, of 811 W. Thrush Ave. faces up to five years in prison if convicted of the charge. He is also eligible for probation.

According to police and court records, Harris was sleeping at his house at 11;40 p.m. Dec. 21 when he was awakened by a loud noise. He saw two people in his house, grabbed his gun and fired several times at the intruders, who ran out of the house, police said. He followed the would-be burglars out of the house and fired one more shot in the direction of one of the intruders.

Harris was arrested because he is a convicted felon and illegally had a gun, police said. He was previously convicted in 1994 for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

He told police he had the gun for protection. None of Harris's property was reported stolen, police said.