Woman dispatches prowler by packing heat

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: A woman dispatched a home invader early Tuesday morning after advising the suspect she was armed.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

GRAHAM COUNTY – A would-be burglar quickly hit the road early Tuesday morning after a homeowner warned him that she was armed and was prepared to use deadly force to protect her and her property.

Graham County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at about 12:12 a.m. to a residence on N. Cluff Ranch Road regarding a home invasion.

Upon arrival, the homeowner informed the deputies that she heard her front door open, so she retrieved her pistol and yelled at the intruder, who had by that time made his way into her living room. The homeowner said she warned that she was armed and would shoot, and the intruder then ran out the front door and away from the residence.

While the prowler was making his escape, the occupant got a glimpse of him and said he was about 5’9” with a skinny frame and was wearing blue jeans and a beanie. She advised that she had never seen the man before and therefore had no idea who it was.

Deputies canvassed the area but were not able to locate the suspect. Several sets of shoe prints were located around the residence, and the occupant pointed out that the shoe prints with a checker pattern weren’t theirs because they wear boots.

Nothing was found to be missing from the residence or vehicle. Deputies gathered the available evidence, including fingerprints found on the front door, and packaged them into storage.