First, it is never advisable to break into another person’s home. By doing this, you have just handed them virtually every legal right to fight you off with whatever means they have available. Your life is a steep price to pay to grab a watch and a microwave.
The last thing you want to face is an armed homeowner ready to defend their life and property.
Therefore, it is wise to pick a location where no one is present. But, even then, there is the possibility that the residents will return and catch you in the act.
In Missouri, a suspected burglar on Wednesday chose poorly when he decided on a target to burglarize. Authorities in McDonald County reported that 62-year-old James F. Garrett of Seneca was armed when he entered the home.
The residence was on Buffalo Creek Road near Tiff City, which is along the Missouri border with Oklahoma.
The invading suspect did not find an armed resident as he was inside — but that quickly changed. Officials allege the suspect made the nearly fatal mistake of shooting at the homeowners when they returned and discovered him. Both had their weapons and both immediately fired back at him, putting him down and detaining him until law enforcement showed up.
Sheriff Rob Evenson described the scene.
“Arriving deputies made contact with the homeowners who had come home to find a man inside the home. The homeowners entered the house to find a man barricaded in a room. The burglar fired a shot at the homeowners from a handgun [and] the homeowners, who were both armed with handguns, returned fire, striking the burglar with a gunshot in each thigh.”
The suspect was held until deputies arrived. He was then transported to a hospital in Joplin and faces charges of first-degree assault, burglary and armed criminal action.
The two homeowners do not face charges.
