Police: Homeowner grabs gun, takes down intruder
ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Roseburg police say a 68-year-old homeowner grabbed a gun and confronted an intruder on Thursday, and was eventually able to hold the suspect down until police arrived.
Police were called to a residence in the 800 block of Esperanza on Thursday just before 2:30 p.m.
Authorities say that Michael Lee Hatton, 27, a local area transient, broke into the residence through a bathroom window.
Police say the 68-year-old homeowner confronted Hatton with a handgun.
Officials say Hatton started to fight with the man over the gun, but during the struggle the homeowner threw the handgun out of reach.
Officers say that Hatton also disabled a phone that the homeowner was using to call 911.
The man eventually pinned Hatton down and held him there until police officers arrived.
Police say Hatton then fought with officers and refused to be taken into custody. After a brief struggle with police, they say they were able to get him handcuffed.
Hatton received medical treatment at the scene for minor injuries he sustained during the struggle with the homeowner and officers. Neither the man or the officers involved were injured.
Officers say they learned that Hatton also had a felony warrant for his arrest issued by the Oregon State Parole Board for absconding.
Hatton was taken to the Douglas County Jail and lodged on charges of first degree burglary, second degree theft, resisting arrest and interfering with a report, among other charges.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Web site, Hatton is not eligible for bail.
Good job - another case where owning a gun changed an outcome for the better.
Why didn't the guy shoot him?
Acording to the article, the home owner had the gun pointed at the suspect and the suspect chose to advance and attack the home owner. In my home the suspect would be a dead suspect. Anyone that comes into your house with you there means to do something very bad. As a young boy I was tought to never point a gun at anyone you wern;t going to shoot, and if you have to shoot shoot to kill.Maby these days younger people would try to talk the suspect into leaving, thats ok, but don't mess with an older person. Your likely to get shot.Â
I would have shot at him.... and said that he was coming at me or some kind of crap. If he is in my house he deserves to be shot at. That is ALL THERE IS TO IT. I will protect me and my stuff FIRST.Â
@Myownopinion!  Unfortunately, if he isn't coming at you, forensic technicians can determine that using blood spatter evidence among other techniques. Being "in fear of bodily harm or death" doesn't require him to be coming at you. Lying about which direction he was going is a BAD IDEA!
If he/she is in your house and not invited and is not trying to run away from you you shoot to kill. You have to already made you mind up to shoot. If intruder is trying to get away by law you aren't suppose to shoot.
 @Ah Shucks As far as I'm concerned, that just means I have to shoot them before they try to get away.
Based on the comments I guess it's alright that the homeowner almost got himself killed by hesitating?
Â
This is what the so-called debate over legality of an intruder in the home does to one's judgment in a high-stress situation: You HESITATE.
He who hesitates dies. This guy was lucky.
Â
See an intruder 'in' your house that is identifiably unknown: Shoot first, ask questions later. Fire until they stop moving. It's called justifiable homicide. PC garbage almost got the man killed.
Â
The alternative is to be a statistic taking a dirt nap. This guy almost did, but good for him for pulling it off anyway.
Why does everything always happen in Roseburg? Weird.
us old guys just dont care, we tend to be a little bit more onrey
@censoredirawoody I like your way of thinking Woody. You old guys have been there done that.
You should always be careful around an old dog; he might have one good bite left.   This guy's mistake was in not pulling the trigger. Never take a gun to a fight unless you are willing to use it; it is not a magic wand that makes bad guys docile.