Leoma man held at gunpoint after tripping security alarm

Officers with the Lawrenceburg Police Department were dispatched to the address at around 11:30 Sunday evening, after the alarm began to sound. While en route, dispatchers advised them that the eighty-six year old homeowner could see lights on in the barn. By the time they arrived on the scene, they report that the homeowner had detained the intruder inside the barn at gunpoint. He told officers that he had found the man inside of his barn and had instructed him to sit in a chair to await their arrival.

The intruder, identified as forty-three year old Gerritt Neal King of 101 Barnett Drive, Leoma, told officers that the property owner worked with his grandfather and had given his grandfather permission for him to stay at the barn “if ever he needed to.” He said that he was given a key, but that when he attempted to use it, it would not unlock the door. He said that, instead, he opened a rollup door, walked in, and began turning on lights.

When detained, King was reportedly holding the owner’s camera in his hand. He told officers that he had come across the camera and had simply been using it as a light source so that he could locate the light switch. He said that no sooner had he turned on the lights than he saw approaching headlights, “so he opened the door and was greeted by (the owner).”

The property owner informed officers that he had never met King or his grandfather, and had not given him permission to enter his property.

King was transported to the Lawrence County Detention Center where he was incarcerated under charges of burglary. Bond was set at $2,000. He has been scheduled an initial appearance in General Sessions Court on November 3, 2016.