The Armed Citizen® August 20, 2013

Four teens on a crime spree forced their way into the home of 72-year-old Morris Reaves. Two of the teens wore ski masks and one wielded a rifle. Reaves heard the break-in take place and met the youths with his own firearm. Reaves fired two shots at the intruders causing them to flee to a nearby car and drive away. The four suspects were later identified from images taken by Reaves' security camera. They were each arrested and charged with one felony count of kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit burglary, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, larceny after breaking and entering, and misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun. Reaves was not injured during the home invasion. (The Charlotte Observer, Lenoir, NC, 5/20/13)

A Fayette County man accused of trying to burglarize a home was held at gunpoint by a neighbor until deputies arrived. The Fayette deputies received a call from a neighbor who said her husband had armed himself with a handgun and gone to the nearby house to confront burglars and hold them until police arrived. Deputies arrived 12 minutes later and found the husband detaining the two intruders. The neighbor said he had been working in his garden when he saw the intruders going into the house. The house, which was unoccupied and under renovation, was not locked and they entered through the front door looking for wiring, according to deputies. (Charleston Daily Mail, Charleston, WV, 6/17/13)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

February 1978: Awakened by her 11-year-old daughter's cries for help, Elizabeth Williams of Birmingham, Ala., investigated and found a burglar inside her home. While scuffling with the intruder, she called out to the child to notify police and get a gun. When the little girl did so, the robber attempted to escape. As he headed for the back door, Mrs. Williams fired twice, wounding the man, then held him until police arrived. (The Post-Herald, Birmingham, Ala.)