Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Resident Is Arrested After Reporting Attempted Burglary At His Home
A local man who had called law enforcement officers to investigate a potential burglary at his home during the weekend, was himself arrested after he was found to unlawfully be in possession of a firearm.
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department deputies report that they were dispatched to the 12 H.H. Lane home of Thomas Lewis Hargrove, Jr., around 8:20 p.m. Sunday.
The call was regarding an attempted burglary, however while deputies were en route they were informed by Central Dispatch that shots had been fired at the location.
Hargrove reported to officers that someone had been breaking into his home over a period of three weeks. He said that the culprits had been gaining access to the home through an opening in the roof and insulation. He said that several items had been stolen.
Hargrove told deputies that shortly before their arrival he had heard noises that seemed to be coming from inside the residence and that he grabbed a .410 shotgun and went to investigate. He said he saw two male subjects wearing dark clothes.
He said that he ordered them to stop and was attempting to detain them until deputies arrived, but while he was turning off his flashlight the pair fled through the woods.
He saw the pair get into a white Dodge truck and leave the area. Although they checked the home, deputies report they found no evidence that the home had been burglarized.
Hunter admitted to deputies that he had fired two warning shots into the air as the men fled. Because he is a convicted felon he is prohibited from owning or being around firearms.
Deputies also note that the shotgun had been illegally modified, with both the barrel and stock sawed-off.
The shotgun was seized and Hunter placed under arrest. He was transported to the Lawrence County Detention Center where he was booked on charges of unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon.
