Woodland Park, Colorado

From KRDO of February 26, 2009

Pellet Gun Scares Would-Be Robber, Suspect at Large

A suspect armed with a revolver ran away after a Woodland Park store clerk pulled out a pellet gun and told him to leave Thursday. He is considered armed and dangerous by police.

The robbery happened at the 99 Auto Detail on 219 South West Street in Woodland Park just before noon. Police say the suspect walked into the business showed a small revolver and demanded all the money. The owner Glenn Kothe went to the area where the money is kept and picked up a pellet gun pointed it at the suspect and told him to leave. The suspect ran from the business. Nothing was taken, no one was hurt.

The suspect is described by police as a white male, early 20’s, approximately 6 foot, 175 pounds, short brown hair, GI haircut. The suspect was last seen wearing blue jeans and a long sleeve crew neck shirt which was darker than the jeans.

The students in Woodland Park Schools were not released for lunch off campus due to the active search for the suspect. The Woodland Park Police Department and the Teller County Sheriffs conducted systematic patrols of all of Woodland Park and the surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspect.

Point of contact is Detective Sergeant Tom Kinney at the Woodland Park Police Department, 719 687-9262.

Tallahassee, Florida

From the Tallahassee Democrat of February 25, 2009

Homeowner foils burglary attempt in NW Tallahassee

A resident on the 2100 block of Padlock Place heard what appeared to be someone breaking into their home earlier this morning. According to the Leon County Sheriff?s Office, the homeowner stated a burglar was attempting to break the glass on a window.

?There have been several burglaries in this area in recent weeks,? said Sgt. Tony Drzewiecki, spokesman for the Sheriff?s Office said about northwest Tallahassee. ?We don?t know if this is related to those recent burglaries; however, we have uniformed deputies in the area now and we are working on any leads.?

Drzewiecki said the resident, armed with a shotgun, investigated. Upon finding an unknown person breaking into the home, the owner fired a shot, which missed, and the suspect fled.

Padlock Place is tucked away next to the Lake Talquin State Recreation Area and about a mile from Maddox Road.

No one was hurt in the incident, and deputies are searching for the persons responsible for the break in.

Anyone who notices anything suspicious or has information about the spate of burglaries in the area has been encouraged to call the Leon County Sheriff?s Office at (850) 922-3300 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-8477.

Tampa Bay, Florida

From Tampa Tribune of February 25, 2009

Armed Clerk Foils Robbery Attempt

Two men wearing ski masks and gloves walked into the Friendly Meat ‘N Grocery store Monday evening planning to rob the business, according to Tampa police.

But when one of the men pointed a pistol at Mohammed Abu Sayed, the clerk grabbed a pistol of his own, police say.

The would-be robbers ran out but fired a shot back toward the store, shattering a window. The men drove from the scene in a dark-colored sport utility vehicle, police say.

Police did not have additional descriptions of the suspects.

Sayed, 49, was not hurt during the attempted robbery, which happened about 9 p.m. at 1910 N. 34th St.

Lexington County, South Carolina

From The State of February 21, 2009

Homeowner holds suspect at bay in pool

A Lexington County man suffered cuts ? but still was able to detain a man police say was caught breaking into his home Thursday.

The homeowner held the man ? at gunpoint ? in his swimming pool.

Ruben Silva-Aguilar, 19, of Lexington, was arrested on charges of first-degree burglary and assault and battery with intent to kill in connection with the incident, the Lexington County Sheriff?s Department said. Silva-Aguilar is being held at the county detention center, awaiting a bail hearing.

Reports indicate a homeowner on Gilbert Springs Court near Batesburg-Leesville arrived home Thursday as a burglary was taking place.

According to reports, items were being carried out of the home?s back door when the homeowner was cut on the arm with a knife. The homeowner managed to throw the man into the pool.

Deputies responded at about 3:35 p.m. to a call about a burglary in progress, Metts said. A neighbor directed them to the home?s backyard, where they found the homeowner ? armed with a rifle ? had forced the suspect to stand in the middle of the in-ground pool, reports say.

Fort Bend, Texas

From the Fort Bend Now of February 23, 2009

Fort Bend Homeowner Shoots, Kills Armed Man Angry Over Being Refused Entry To Party

A homeowner in the Providence neighborhood shot and killed an armed man who may have been seeking retribution after being kicked out of a party on Saturday night.

The name of the dead man hasn?t yet been released, ?pending forensic confirmation,? the Fort Bend County Sheriff?s Office said in a statement issued Monday morning.

However, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the case said the dead man is believed to be ?a pretty high-ranking member of a gang,? whom the homeowner appears to have shot while ?defending his property and his family.?

According to the sheriff?s office statement, deputies responded to a disturbance and possible shooting incident at 10:48 p.m. Saturday at a home in the 8700 block of Warrenford Drive, between Bellaire Boulevard and Bissonnet St. west of State Highway 6.

?Upon arrival, Fort Bend County deputies found an unidentified male lying in the street, the victim of an apparent fatal gunshot wound.?

The sheriff?s office didn?t name the homeowner or reveal details of the shooting incident.

But the law enfocement source familiar with the investigation said the dead man and one or more companions had approached the homeowner?s house and tried to enter, because one of his children was having a party there.

But the dead man and his companions were told to leave, and initially did so, the law enforcement source said. But then they came back.

?One of them approached the man? who owned the house ?and threatened him.?

Both the homeowner and the alleged gang member were armed with handguns, the source said. At least one shot was fired, and the man who tried to crash the party was killed.

?Due to the circumstances surrounding this incident, this case will be referred directly to the grand jury,? the sheriff?s office statement said.

New Castle, Delaware

From the News Journal of February 24, 2009

Man wrangles handgun from would-be robber

When a New Castle area man found himself being held up at gunpoint early today, he managed to wrestle the weapon away from the would-be robber, a woman, police said.

The bandit, who was unsuccessful in the robbery attempt, then ran off before New Castle County officers arrived.

The incident occurred about 12:30 a.m. at the Georgetown Village Apartments, county police spokesman Cpl. Trinidad Navarro said.

Officers were called to Building R in response to the robbery report and spoke with the 51-year-old victim, who still had the woman’s gun.

He told the officers that he was about to enter his apartment building when he heard someone run up behind him.

He turned around to see a woman approaching the building, so he held the door open for her only to be accosted at gunpoint.

The man was able to wrestle the handgun away from the woman, run to his apartment and call police.

The woman, meanwhile, ran out of the building and disappeared.

Officers searched the area with a police canine, but the dog lost the scent nearby, which indicated that the would-be bandit probably escaped in a car, Navarro said.

The woman is described as petite, in her early 20s, with black hair and weighing 100 pounds.

She was dressed in dark green pants, a dark green shirt and a blue knit cap.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 395-8110 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333.

Shreveport, Louisiana

From KSLA of February 20, 2009

Shreveport homeowner shoots, wounds burglar

A man police say was trying to rob a house ended up in the hospital after he was shot by the homeowner.

It happened just after midnight Friday morning in the 2800 block of Corbitt Street.

Police say the homeowner entered the house and discovered 28-year-old Fredrick Dickerson inside. Police say the homeowner grabbed a gun and shot Dickerson in both legs.

Dickerson managed to run away but was caught just around the corner.

Police say he could be connected to other crimes in the area.

“Our detectives did locate some other items on his person that may have been stolen in other crimes,” said Shreveport Police Corporal Bill Goodin.

Dickerson was taken to LSU Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. After he was treated for his wounds he was booked into the Shreveport City Jail on a charge of attempted burglary.

Kansas City, Missouri

From the Kansas City Star of February 16, 2009

KC police identify robber shot by store owner

Kansas City police today identified a robbery suspect who died after being shot by a store owner and involved in a car wreck Sunday afternoon.

Christopher L. Kublic, 28, moved to Kansas City from the state of Washington within the past month, police said.

Along with another man, Kublic allegedly tried to hold up a hydroponics store using a stun gun about 5:15 p.m. Sunday in the 3600 block of St. John Avenue, in the city?s Northeast neighborhood. The store owner told police he pulled his own gun and shot the robber.

Shortly after the holdup, a vehicle matching the suspects? was found overturned about three blocks away.

Kublic was lying next to the wrecked vehicle. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The second suspect remained at-large this afternoon, police said.

Oakley, Ohio

From WCPO of February 22, 2009

Armed Robber Gets Shot At

Daniel Lee and Erin Beckwith were eating dinner at the Green Papaya restaurant in Oakley around 6 p.m. Saturday when suddenly police swarmed the parking lot.

“We were out celebrating a friends birthday. And didn’t hear anything. Next thing we know we saw a number of cop cars and we saw the lights outside and had no idea what was going on,” said Beckwith.

Little did Lee and Beckwith know, just feet away the family-owned Natural Life Nutrition Center had just been robbed.

The clerk face to face with the armed robber was the owner’s son.

“He complied with the demands that were made by the gunman. He turned over the cash that belonged to the store. As the gunman turned to leave, he felt threatened once again. The gunman raised his firearm towards the employee of the store. At that point, the employee then returned fire,” said Sgt. Darryl Morton with the Cincinnati Police Department.

Police say the store was robbed last year. Since then, the owner’s son has been armed with a small caliber handgun. After shooting at the robber several times, the man ran out of the store.

Police arrested a suspect less than a mile away in the Rookwood Pavilion parking lot just minutes later.

Barstow, California

From the Desert Dispatch of February 17, 2009

Woman fends off suspected burglar with gunshot

A woman fended off an alleged burglar by shooting at him after he tried breaking into her Octillo Drive home on Tuesday morning, according to Barstow Police. The suspect was later arrested in a nearby backyard.

The 49-year-old resident fired one shot and missed the suspect, Eric Charles Anderson of Barstow, who allegedly tried to break into her home through several entryways.

Police believe Anderson, 27, first tried to open at least one door to the home, according to a Barstow Police report. Anderson then removed a screen to a bedroom window and forced the window open.

As Anderson started coming into the window, the armed resident threatened to shoot him from inside the home if he came nearer, according to police. He left toward the front of the home where he tried to break in again.

The woman then shot at Anderson and he fled. Barstow Police officers responded to the incident at about 8:10 a.m. and found Anderson hiding in a nearby backyard, according to the report.

No injuries were reported. Police could not release information on the victim or the type of gun involved in the incident, according to Sgt. Mark Franey.

Police found that the bullet fired by the resident missed Anderson and struck a wall across from the home. The woman reported to police that she did not know the suspect.

Anderson was taken into custody and booked into jail at the San Bernardino County Sheriff?s Barstow station on a charge of burglary. His bail is set at $10,000.

Anyone with further information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer Andrew Reyes at the Barstow Police Department at 760-256-2211.

Naples, Florida

From the Naples News of February 18, 2009

Estates homeowner fires gun at attempted robbery suspects

Collier County sheriff?s deputies are on the lookout for three men in a light blue minivan who they say attempted a home invasion Wednesday night in Golden Gate Estates, but fled when the homeowner shot at them.

Around 8:51 p.m. the three men attempted to enter a home in the 3600 block of 36th Avenue Southeast off Everglades Boulevard, Sheriff?s Office spokeswoman Karie Partington said.

The homeowner saw a light blue minivan pull up in the back yard.

“She gets a shotgun and fires two rounds of birdshot at the van,” Partington said.

It is unclear if any of the three men, who were described as Hispanic, were shot, authorities said. Deputies, dogs and a Sheriff?s Office helicopter were all searching for a minivan with damage.

Waynesville, Florida

From the February 5, 2009 Florida Times-Union:

A Brantley County jury acquitted a woman of murder and related charges Wednesday in the shooting death of her husband last year.

Teresa McKinney, 47, of Waynesville was found not guilty of malice murder, felony murder and four counts of aggravated assault in the death of Jeffrey McKinney, 45. He was shot in the head with a .22-caliber rifle on Feb. 27 at their home and died a month later.

Jurors deliberated 90 minutes before acquitting her in the death that her attorney, John Thigpen, argued was “justifiable homicide.”

“He beat her to pieces, just black and blue,” Thigpen told the Times-Union after the verdict. “He beat her like she was a borrowed mule. She acted in self-defense, and it was justifiable homicide.”

McKinney, a retired school bus driver, testified she shot her husband after he repeatedly hit her in the head with a broomstick in an attack that began when he started cursing and verbally abusing her. After beating her, he left the house and she locked him out. Mc-Kinney told jurors she warned him that if he returned, she would kill him.

She said he came back and smashed in a window with a bicycle in an effort to force his way into the home.

McKinney said she feared for her life, so she fired several shots with a .30-06 rifle, .410-gauge shotgun and a .22-caliber rifle in an effort to scare him away. She said she didn’t aim at him or try to kill her husband, an electrician.

When he was shot, she called 911 for help. He was found wounded in the yard.

Yakima, Washington

From the January 22, 2009 Tri-City Herald:

Ferris, Texas

From the February 7, 2009 Waxahachie (Tex.) Daily Light:

FERRIS ? The Ellis County Sheriff?s Office is investigating a shooting incident that occurred before noon in the 200 block of Newton Road near Ferris.

Sheriff Johnny Brown said the homeowners were in the process of moving when they returned to the residence to pick up another load of belongings. En route, they observed two male suspects coming out of the residence.

As the two suspects went to drive away in an SUV later identified by authorities as stolen, the male homeowner exited his pickup to ask them what they were doing.

The suspect vehicle then struck the homeowner?s pickup and the homeowner, who suffered slight injuries.

?The homeowner opened fire on them at that point,? Brown said.

The suspect vehicle then struck another vehicle that the homeowner?s wife had exited before going out into a field and coming to a stop.

?The passenger got out and ran. The driver-suspect was transported by air ambulance with gunshot wounds,? Brown said.

Wellington, Florida

From the February 16, 2009 South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

WELLINGTON – One man is dead and a couple is left shaken after a home-invasion robbery turned deadly early Monday.

The intruder wound up dead after he was shot by Heath Miller, 34, a popular music teacher at Howell L. Watkins MIddle School. The dead man is identified as Robert Rishard Tomlin, 22.

According to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Pete Palenzuela, Tomlin entered the home Miller was renting through a back sliding-glass door at about at approximately 1:50 a.m. Miller told authorities he saw the silhouette of an individual with a handgun coming through the bedroom door and fired.

Miller and his wife Mirelle were quite shaken and were staying with his parents, said his mother Harma Miller, a former Belle Glade mayor who served for 14 years as a city commissioner.

…

Miller had concealed weapons permits from 1999 to 2003, according to records, which are no longer public.