Florida: Burglars Held Up By Homeowners

Titusville, Florida

From the Central Florida News of September 16, 2009

Burglars Held Up By Homeowners

Two burglars attempting to steal a car from a Brevard County home were held at gunpoint by the homeowners.

Matthew Clark, 20, and Justin Sheppard, 19, are facing several charges including burglary and grand theft.

Authorities say the pair was burglarizing a home near Titusville on Karen Drive when the homeowners confronted them with a 12-gauge shotgun.

The woman and her son held the two until police arrived.

Clark and Sheppard are now being held on $5,000 bonds.

Boise Thief Arrested By Bystander

Boise, Idaho

From July 18, 2009 KIVI channel 6:

Boise Police received a call of a man with a gun this afternoon at approximately 1:18 p.m. in the area of Americana and River Streets. As multiple Boise Police units arrived on the scene, they located two men with handguns and de-escalated the situation.

According to BPD spokesman Charles McClure, "Witnesses tell police that the original suspect, later identified as John Dickey, had stolen personal property from the victim at a nearby homeless shelter. The suspect fled on foot traveling Eastbound on River Street. As the victim chased the suspect on foot, a third man intevened in the chase by producing a handgun and ordering the suspect to stop. The suspect was on the ground and held at gunpoint when the third citizen -- who was also a concealed weapons permit holder and only saw a man with a gun pointing it at someone, intervened and demanded that the other man drop his gun. Officers then arrived on scene and took the suspect into custody."

At this time, the original theft suspect -- John W. Dickey, 46 -- has been taken into custody and charged with misdemeanor petit theft. Dickey has no known address.

Texas: Burglar Shot by Owner of Truck He Was Breaking Into

Odessa, Texas

From KOSA of June 25, 2009

Burglar Shot by Owner of Truck He Was Breaking Into

A burglar is in jail tonight after he was shot by the owner of the truck he was breaking into and apprehended by police.

It was the latest in a string of attempted car robberies at the Woodlands Apartment Complex where the shooting took place.


After a series of attempted car break-ins management here at the woodlands apartment complex told residents to contact police if anything else was going on. The other night one resident did just that but not before shooting and detaining a would-be burglar.

"Pow pow pow... just like that".

Tony Lynch ran out of his apartment only to find a bleeding man on the ground.

"This is a really nice neighborhood. This is a real nice complex and it was a shock to me", said Lynch.

Police say a resident fired two rounds at two would-be burglars... hitting one in the ankle.
Neighbors say it wasn't the first burglary.

"The managers have put notes on the doors saying that everybody should be aware that we've been having some problems with breaking into vehicles", said Lynch.

Vandalism hit this resident.

"Pretty upset. You have to go back and re-do everything and fix it up".

After the break-in and shooting one witness tells us the gunman said he didn't mean for it to go off. So was this an accidental shooting or did he take "don't mess with Texas" a little too seriously?

"They kind of deserve it for breaking into a car", said Ryan Dominey.

"Would you just let them break in? I would end up shooting them too" added Ryan Dodd.

Either way... it's legal under Texas Penal Code 9.42.

"It authorizes a person to use deadly force to protect land or tanagible, movable property during the night-time", says Cpl. Sherrie Carruth of the Odessa Police Dept.

It may be legal... but police say it's rare. And Tony Lynch... wouldn't pull the trigger.

"It aint worth it man... you can replace a car but you can't replace a life".

Los Angeles Car Burglar Shot In Face

Los Angeles, California

From the May 3, 2009 Los Angeles Times:

A man suspected of burglarizing cars in the Mar Vista area was shot in the face by a resident early this morning, police said.

The man was breaking into vehicles when he was confronted by a resident at about 1:40 a.m., said Los Angeles Police Sgt. Dennis Beacham.

"He was subsequently shot and sustained a gunshot wound to the facial area," Beacham said. "It’s my understanding he’s in stable condition."

Police did not release the name or age of the victim, and would not say whether the resident who shot him was arrested.

Updated: 5:33 p.m. Two young men accompanying the suspected burglar fled before police arrived, Los Angeles Police Officer Rosario Herrera said. The shooting occurred in the 3800 block of Beethoven Street, and the gunshot victim was taken to a local hospital where he was in stable condition, Herrera said. “The shooter wasn’t arrested, it was in self-defense,” Herrera said.

Texas: Burglar shot dead in Cedar Hill driveway

Cedar Hill, Texas

From WFAA of December 5, 2008

Burglar shot dead in Cedar Hill driveway

Police said a Cedar Hill resident shot and killed a person attempting to break into a vehicle in his driveway Friday morning.

The gunfire erupted at 7:30 a.m. in the 9100 block of Sleepy Hollow, one of the city's nicest, most established neighborhoods.

Police said the homeowner heard an alarm going off on his pickup truck. He grabbed a gun, went outside, and opened fire when he saw the alleged burglar attempting to remove a stereo system.

The suspect died at the scene.

"This is extremely rare," said Cedar Hill spokesman Corky Brown. "This is a really quiet neighborhood like most of ours in Cedar Hill. It's very shocking to the neighbors to have something like this occur."

The names of the homeowner and the suspect have not been released.

The homeowner has not been arrested or charged at this point.

Mississippi: Man shot trying to steal SUV

Jackson, Mississippi

From the Clarion Ledger of November 24, 2008

Man shot trying to steal SUV

Jackson police said the property owner who fatally shot a burglary suspect Saturday night had a right to pull the trigger under the Castle Doctrine.

Brandon Lenard, 20, of Jackson was shot outside a row of townhouses on County Cork Road after he allegedly broke into a Cadillac Escalade parked in front, police said.

Police spokesman Lt. Jeffery Scott said no charges will be filed against the owner of the SUV, whose name was not released.

When the police investigation is complete, the findings will be turned over to a Hinds County grand jury, Scott said.

Lenard is the fifth burglary or robbery suspect to be shot to death in Jackson by a homeowner, property owner or store employee since the Castle Doctrine law took effect in 2006.

Among other things, the Castle Doctrine says a person has "no duty to retreat" if the person believes he is in imminent danger. The law protects someone who uses deadly force in self-defense from being sued.

Just before 9 p.m. Saturday, Lenard allegedly broke into the Escalade while its owner was inside a townhouse just a few feet away, police said.

"The owner heard something outside, so he stepped out of the house to see what it was. When he saw someone was in his vehicle, he went back inside to retrieve a weapon. He then went back outside to confront the suspect," Scott said.

Scott said there was an exchange of words between Lenard and the vehicle's owner just before Lenard tried to run from the scene.

Police said that as Lenard was leaving, he is believed to have put the SUV owner's life in danger. Scott would not say what he did.

"Our investigation has determined that the owner was in the imminent threat of danger based on items found at the scene, which I cannot elaborate (on)," Scott said. "We have made a determination that the actions of the property owner are in the parameters of the Castle Doctrine."

Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart said Sunday that Lenard did have a gun at the scene.

Lenard was shot once with a shotgun, Grisham-Stewart said. She said the pellets entered the back and side of his head.

Scott said investigators think Lenard was driven to the scene in an unidentified vehicle. Police are trying to find who might have been with Lenard that night.

Neighbors would not comment Sunday about the shooting.

(More)

Alaska: Homeowner opens fire on intruder

North Pole, Alaska

From the Anchorage Daily News of November 18, 2008

Homeowner opens fire on intruder

A homeowner interrupting a burglary in progress late last week morning opened fire on the intruder as the burglar approached him and his wife, Alaska State Troopers said.

The burglar was not hit by the shots but did sustain minor injuries when he "went through the window" while fleeing the home, troopers said. Responding officers brought in a dog and tracked down a suspect, Bowen Alexander, 18, a short distance from the home, troopers said.

Troopers say Alexander had been drinking when he crashed his vehicle, broke into a home and entered the homeowner's vehicle. For reasons that were not immediately clear, Alexander then fled to the neighboring home, where the homeowner shot at him, troopers said.

Alexander was booked at the Fairbanks Correctional Center on charges of burglary, criminal mischief, driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, criminal trespass, assault and resisting arrest.

Texas: Watauga homeowner stabbed, shot with own gun during robbery

Watuagua, Texas

From the Dallas Morning News of October 29, 2008

Watauga homeowner stabbed, shot with own gun during robbery

A Watauga homeowner was stabbed several times and shot once with his own gun during a robbery early this morning, police said.

The incident occurred in the 6000 block of Sundown Drive in Watauga about 10 miles northeast of Fort Worth.

According to Watauga police, a man heard someone trying to break into a trailer parked in his driveway around 3:30 a.m.

Armed with a shotgun, the man confronted the intruder who stabbed him several times. The gun went off during the scuffle, and the homeowner was shot in the arm.

A neighbor who came to the help the homeowner was also stabbed multiple times, police said.

The homeowner, who police did not identify, was taken to Harris Methodist Medical Center in critical condition. Police said the neighbor drove himself to the hospital.

Police have no suspects or a detailed description of the intruder.

Tennessee: Riverview Homeowner Holds Shotgun On Thief

Riverview, Tennessee

From the Chattanoogan of October 1, 2008

Riverview Homeowner Holds Shotgun On Thief

Police said a Riverview homeowner found a thief in his car in his carport and held him at bay with a shotgun.

Lewis Card of Edgewood Circle said he heard his driveway alarm going off. He said he grabbed his shotgun and hurried outside.

Mr. Card said he spotted a black male inside his vehicle.

He said he held the shotgun on the intruder and ordered him outside the car. Then he directed him to lie down.

The homeowner said the man told him he was just after some change. Then he patted his pocket, causing the change to jingle.

He asked Mr. Card not to call police, saying he "didn't want to go back to jail."

With the shotgun still trained on him, he handed over his Tennessee ID card. Mr. Card said it appeared to be his correct card.

The man ran off after asking again that police not be called.

Mr. Card turned over the man's ID card to officers.

A warrant was taken out charging Corey Cortez Abernathy with theft under $500.

Tennessee: Armed Homeowner Confronts Trailer Thieves

Shelby County, Tennessee

From Eyewitness News of September 30, 2008

Armed Homeowner Confronts Trailer Thieves

Sheriff’s detectives say a Rosemark man held two thieves at gunpoint who tried to steal a utility trailer from his front yard yesterday. Detectives believe the suspects may also be responsible for stealing other utility trailers.

About 11:30 yesterday morning, Steven Rutter, 57, who lives in the 8700 block of Rosemark Road in north Shelby County, heard a vehicle slow down in front of his house. Rutter saw a gray Dodge Ram pickup truck back into his front yard.

Two men then began hooking up Rutter’s utility trailer to the pickup truck. Detectives say Rutter got his pistol and confronted the two men. Initially, Jessie Brown, 51, of Munford and Kelvin Nathaniel, 45, of Drummonds, told Rutter a neighbor said they could use the trailer to move some hay.

Rutter didn’t believe their story and called for Deputies. Moments later, Brown and Nathaniel were taken into custody. Both were charged with Theft of Property.

Detectives say the investigation is continuing and the suspects may be responsible for other utility trailer thefts in Shelby and neighboring counties.

Florida: Police: Woman Shoots At Men Trying To Break Into Car

Miami Lakes, Florida

From NBC6 of August 25, 2008

Police: Woman Shoots At Men Trying To Break Into Car

Miami-Dade police said a woman opened fire on three men who were trying to break into a car in Miami Lakes early Thursday.

The three men were trying to break into a car outside a home near Northwest 57th Avenue north of the Palmetto Expressway at about 1:30 a.m., police said. Miami-Dade police said they think the men were trying to steal the car's stereo.

A man and a woman who were inside the home came outside. When the man got into a confrontation with the three men, the woman started firing a gun, police said. Neighbors said they heard between four and seven shots.

"These subjects came here to do a crime," said Bobby Williams of the Miami-Dade Police Department. "Once that crime was committed, the boyfriend came out to stop them or at least to talk to them. They attacked him, so she was in fear for her boyfriend's safety and herself."

Ilana Lopez was inside the home at the time of the shooting.

"If he was in my property, burglarizing one of our vehicles, she did what she had to do to protect it," Lopez said.

The three men took off in an SUV, which police said was stolen. Police stopped the suspects outside a nearby CVS store and arrested them.

One of the three men had been shot in the chest and was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was in critical condition, NBC 6's Steve Litz reported.

The investigation continues. The suspects were expected to face charges.

Lopez said the car stereo was stolen once before, about three weeks ago.

"What can I say? I'm just tired of this going on around here," she said.

Florida's "Castle Doctrine" allows a potential victim to respond with deadly force if an intruder or criminal has intentions of death or great bodily harm, Litz reported. If the shooting is justified, the person will not be prosecuted.

Police said the shooting appeared to be justified, so the woman who fired the shots might not face charges.

The woman had no comment for reporters Thursday morning.

The names of those involved have not been released.

Mississippi: Suspected Car Burglar Shot by Owner

Jackson, Mississippi

From WLBT of August 16, 2008

Suspected Car Burglar Shot by Owner

A burglary victim opens fire on a man who he allegedly caught breaking into his vehicle Saturday morning.

JPD Lt. Jeffery Scott said 22-year old Mario Lampkin was shot once in the leg by the owner of the vehicle. Investigators say it happened just before 6 a.m. at 1315 North Jefferson Street.

Officers also believe Lampkin is responsible for breaking into two other vehicles before he was shot. Police say Lampkin managed to walk to nearby Baptist Hospital for treatment. He will be charged with auto burglary when released.

From the Clarion Ledger of August 16, 2008

Wounded man may face charges in car break-ins

A 22-year-old man will face burglary charges once he is released from a Jackson hospital.

Police say Mario Lampkin was shot in the leg by the owner of a car who claimed Lampkin was breaking into the vehicle. After he was shot, Lampkin walked to the Baptist Medical Center.

The shooting happened just before 6 a.m. today at an apartment complex in the 1300 block of N. Jefferson St.

The car owner was questioned and released. That person has not been charged.

Two other cars at the apartment complex also had been burglarized. Police say they suspect Lampkin may be responsible for those, too.

Texas: Car Owner Shoots Suspected Thief

Houston, Texas

From Click2Houston of July 29, 2008

Car Owner Shoots Suspected Thief

A car owner opened fire on a suspected thief early Tuesday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Houston police said the car's owner found the man sitting in his vehicle at the Gulf Pointe Apartments on Gulf Pointe Drive near Dickinson Road shortly before 4 a.m.

The car's owner opened fire, wounding the man in the leg.

Residents said they heard at least two gunshots.

Investigators said the man was taken to Ben Taub Hospital. He is expected to survive.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office has not said if the car's owner will be charged.

Texas: Fireworks stand owner shoots alleged burglar

Montgomery County, Texas

From the Conroe Courier of July 9, 2008

Fireworks stand owner shoots alleged burglar

A West Montgomery County homeowner shot and wounded a man he believes was trying to burglarize a fireworks stand on his property early Tuesday morning.

Jacob Kelly, 19, who lives in East County on West Geronimo Trail near the Midway area between Conroe and Cleveland, was in stable condition Tuesday at Conroe Regional Medical Center.

According to a report released by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery-area resident Fred Cook told investigators he woke up just after 12:30 a.m. and was in the kitchen of his home in the 9600 block of FM 149 near Keenan Cutoff Road when he saw a white male allegedly burglarizing his fireworks stand. The report states Cook woke his girlfriend and told her to call 9-1-1 while he went outside armed with a 12-gauge shotgun and confronted the intruder, later identified as Kelly.

Cook told Kelly to stop, according to the report, and Kelly allegedly turned toward Cook, who fired the weapon, striking Kelly in the arm, torso and legs. Despite being wounded, Kelly fled the scene on foot and was later found and arrested in the 9900 block of FM 149. Montgomery County EMS transported Kelly to the hospital.

Detective Michael Landrum is investigating the case, which will be forwarded to a grand jury for review of possible charges against Cook. Burglary charges are pending against Kelly.

Public Data shows Kelly was convicted of assault causing bodily injury in May in connection with an incident that occurred in November. He was sentenced to 120 days in jail, with credit for time served.

Landrum’s report stated Cook claimed there was a second person and that he heard gunshots in the wooded area where the pair fled after the confrontation. No description of the second burglar was available.

(More)

Texas: Man protects self from potential thieves with gun

Corpus Christi, Texas

From the Corpus Christi Caller Times of July 7, 2008

Man protects self from potential thieves with gun

A Corpus Christi man found three men looking into his car early Saturday morning and shot at them in fear for his own safety, according to a police report.

Police responded to the 3700 block of Kingston Drive at 4:39 a.m., where a 50-year-old man told them he was awakened by noises in his driveway. After seeing the three men, the man grabbed his .40 Glock and confronted the men. The man told police he feared for his safety and fired off a round into the trunk of the suspect's vehicle. They fled and have not been located. A description of the suspect's vehicle was not given by police.

Tennessee: Memphis Car Burglar Shot by Vehicle’s Owner and Held at Gunpoint

Memphis, Tennessee

From Eyewitness News of May 9, 2008

Memphis Car Burglar Shot by Vehicle’s Owner and Held at Gunpoint

Memphis Police say a man caught stealing from a car was shot by the owner of the vehicle and held at gunpoint until police arrived.

Police say the incident happened around 3:00 a.m., Friday, May 9, 2008, on Parakeet Drive in the Westwood area of Memphis.

The owner of the burglarized SUV says he and his wife woke up to the sound of a big crash and his dogs barking. The man went outside to find out what was going on, and discovered a crook dangling from his SUV trying to steal items from inside.

According to the vehicle’s owner, he repeatedly told the accused car burglar to get out of the SUV. He says he was not able to see the burglar’s hands and did not know if the suspect had a weapon, so he shot the crook in the buttocks.

Investigators say the man then walked the accused burglar to the front porch of the house and held him there at gunpoint until police and an ambulance arrived.

The accused burglar was taken to the Med in non-critical condition.

Police say the SUV owner will not be charged.

Arizona: Man shoots, kills robbery suspect in truck

Phoenix, Arizona

From AZCentral of May 8, 2008

Man shoots, kills robbery suspect in truck

A Phoenix man shot and killed a suspected robber Thursday, claiming it was a case of self-defense, police said.

The man heard his truck start up in his driveway on the 3000 block of West Flynn Lane at around 12:45 a.m. When he went outside with a gun to investigate, he saw his truck had just been stolen and a man was driving away in it, police said.

The suspect then made a U-turn and drove toward the man who was standing on the sidewalk, police said. He fired several shots at the suspect in the truck, hitting him fatally, police said. The suspect lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wall. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Phoenix police detectives are investigating the death and working with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. The man has not been arrested in the shooting, police said.

Houston Homeowner Shoots Car Thief

Houston, Texas

From April 15, 2008 KHOU channel 11:

HOUSTON -- A burglary suspect is in the hospital after he was shot by a homeowner early Tuesday morning.

It happened at Kiley and Remington Springs, just east of downtown.

A little after 3:30 a.m., the homeowner heard noise coming from his driveway, looked out and reportedly saw the suspect breaking into one of his cars. He got a gun and went outside to confront the suspect.

Words were exchanged, and the suspect was allegedly inside the car. When he tried to run, the homeowner shot him once.

Florida: Man Shoots Self In Leg Defending SUV

St. Petersburg, Florida

From the Tampa Bay Online of April 9, 2008

Man Shoots Self In Leg Defending SUV

A man shot himself in the leg about 6 a.m. today as he wrestled with someone trying to break into his SUV in St. Petersburg, said George Kajtsa of the St. Petersburg Police Department.

Police found Richard X. Summers,39, wounded in the upper leg and holding down 18-year-old Marlos M. Conrad.

Kajtsa said Conrad, of 3801 W. Wallace Ave., Tampa, followed Summers' fiancé into their housing complex at 10265 Gandy Boulevard while she was driving a GMC Yukon Denali. She exited the SUV, someone tripped the alarm and she yelled for Summers.

Police say Summers, armed with a handgun, confronted Conrad inside the SUV. They struggled and the gun went off.

Conrad is being held at Pinellas County Jail on charges of strong-arm robbery and auto burglary.

Alabama: Man Shoots, Kills Cousin Stealing Gas

Phenix City, Alabama

From WSBTV of March 25, 2008

Man Shoots, Kills Cousin Stealing Gas

Authorities in Russell County have not filed charges against a homeowner who said today he shot and killed a man who was siphoning gasoline from his truck in the middle of the night, only to discover the victim was a cousin.

Robert Lee Warren of Hatchechubee said the man identified by the coroner as 40-year-old Henry Moses made a threatening move toward him after being confronted, so he pulled the trigger in self-defense.

Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. said Moses died of a single gunshot to the chest about 2 a.m. CDT on Easter Sunday. The body was found near a blue pickup truck under an awning that Warren used as a carport. He said its unclear how much, if any, gasoline was taken.

Prosecutor Buster Landreau said it was too early to say whether an indictment could result when a grand jury considers the case.

Alabama law allows residents to use deadly force if they feel their life is in danger.

With the average price for regular, self-serve gasoline hitting $3.26 a gallon in the United States, gasoline thefts are being reported across the country.