Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - A homeowner in south Lubbock used a 6-foot construction level to keep a burglar on the scene until police could arrive, according to officials.
Just before 5 a.m. Thursday, the homeowners were awakened by the sounds of their dogs barking. the victim went outside to his driveway to investigate and found his garage door had been forced open and a dirt bike had been moved halfway out of the garage. Other items were also moved around.
Police say the suspect then entered the garage from inside the home.
The victim then picked up the 6-foot construction level to keep the burglar on the scene. The burglar ignored the victim's orders to stay still and advanced on the victim, police said.
That is when the victim hit the suspect in the face with the construction level. Officers arrived shortly after and took the suspect into custody.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Randall Patrick Watson of Lubbock was taken to the hospital for his injuries. He was then booked into the Lubbock County Jail and charged with burglary of a residence and possession of marijuana.
His bond has not yet been set.
“If it wasn’t for the dog, that gentleman would have been in the house while we were asleep,” homeowner Gary Elliott said.
“And the dog just would not quit growling and barking so I got up, and I came out here,” Elliott said. “And when I got out here and I’m looking to see what’s going on and when I get here, I see that garage door open.”
As the Elliott’s searched the garage to see what might be missing, they were stopped in their tracks as a man exited the door in their garage from inside of their home.
“Tammy was screaming what are you doing in our house? Our kid is in our house,” Gary said. “And he never would respond he just got real postured and aggressive.”
Gary says that’s when his natural instinct of self-defense kicked in.
And he grabbed a tool that’s never lead him wrong, his 6 foot construction level.
Just one hit to the mouth kept this burglar from causing any more harm until police arrived.
“I don’t know that I thought anything you know I just knew that he had to be taken care of. I knew that we had to do something quick,” he said.
Gary says from now on they’ll be even more aware of locking every door.
But tonight they are grateful for their dog with good intuition, and a family with no injuries after a scary encounter.
“Everybody has to stand up for themselves you’ve got to protect your family, so that’s what we did.”