Senior citizen detains teen at gunpoint

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - Two juveniles were in for a surprise when the owner of a home they broke into showed up with a gun, according to police.

Jan Clark with the Portsmouth Police Department said officers were dispatched to the 26000 block of Belle Street around 7:45 p.m. for a report of a burglary in progress. The 64-year-old homeowner told dispatchers he was detaining one of the suspects at gunpoint.

When officers arrived, the homeowner turned his gun over to police and the suspect, identified as a 15-year-old male, was taken into custody.

Further investigation revealed the teen and a second suspect went to the victim’s home and rang a door bell, Clark said. The homeowner did not answer the door and instead went to the backyard where he heard additional noises.

According to Clark, the homeowner discovered this shed was open and a kitchen window was open. At that point the homeowner went back inside and confronted the teen, who was hiding behind a television. The homeowner fired his gun several times, but did not hit the suspect.

No one was injured.

Clark said the second suspect left the home through a bedroom window. The detained teen has been charged with burglary. Other charges are pending.

No charges were filed against the homeowner.