These posts are based on our Good Guy with a Gun calendar. Today’s post is essentially the same as the calendar version.
When a resident in East Klamath County reported that her Nissan pickup truck was stolen, a timely intervention by an armed citizen helped bring a quick end to a crime spree.
While deputies were responding to her original call, the victim called back to say that someone had spotted her truck at a neighboring property. As deputies approached that location, two males fled in the stolen truck.
A friend of the victim then intervened, attempting to stop the truck at an intersection. This caused the driver to flee on foot, while the passenger surrendered and was detained at gunpoint by the friend.
The passenger was 38-year-old William Owen Shelton II. He was charged with first-degree aggravated theft, first- and second-degree burglary, criminal mischief, unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and felon in possession of a weapon.
That last one means he already had a felony conviction. Good thing there’s a law against felons having weapons, or he might have had one.
The sheriff’s office sent its thanks, with a caveat:
The Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the individual who assisted in the apprehension of the burglary suspect. Often it is the eyes, ears, and actions of neighbors that make the difference, especially in rural areas. While the Sheriff’s office would never request someone put themselves in harm’s way, in this case the citizen’s efforts are greatly appreciated.
The driver’s name was apparently known to deputies, but they didn’t release it, and I can’t find a record of whether he was ever caught.
Sources
News
Citizen detains burglary suspect at gunpoint (Klamath Falls News via the Wayback Machine)
Klamath County burglary stopped by police, resident (KDRV)
Klamath County citizen assists in stopping burglary in progress (Herald and News)