Inlet Beach Homeowner Holds Armed Vehicle Burglary Suspect for Deputies

A homeowner in Inlet Beach, Florida, held an armed man at gunpoint after finding him going through vehicles before dawn, USA Carry reports, citing the Walton County Sheriff's Office. Deputies arrested the 25-year-old, and the sheriff's office reported no shots fired.

Key points

• The call: Deputies responded to a burglary in progress on Quail Hollow Court shortly after 3:30 a.m. Tuesday and found the homeowner holding the man at gunpoint.
• Weapons: Deputies found a handgun in the suspect's waistband, and the sheriff's office says he had two more weapons on him.
• Charges: The Panama City man was jailed on counts including felon in possession of a firearm, burglary, grand theft, obstruction and wearing a mask during a felony. More charges are expected over the other two weapons.
• More reports: By Tuesday afternoon, the sheriff's office had taken several reports of items missing from vehicles on Quail Hollow Court and Golfridge Drive.
• Status: The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless convicted. The homeowner has not been identified, and authorities have not announced any charging decision about the homeowner.

Quick take

USA Carry's Luke McCoy writes that anyone confronting a stranger at 3:30 a.m. should assume that person is armed, as this suspect was. He argues a gun is for an imminent threat of death or serious harm, not for protecting a car in the driveway, and that staying behind a locked door and calling 911 is often safer.

Read the full story at USA Carry.