Two PA Men, 75 & 80, Fend
off Burglars
PIATT TWP., Pa., April 27 – Police in
Lycoming County are on the lookout for two men who got more than they bargained
for when they tried to break into two separate homes. In both cases the elderly
homeowners fought back.
CHARLES HILL, 80, described the rude awakening he received Wednesday morning.
“I saw them banging against the door and I stepped over and hollered, ‘what
do you think you are doing out there – you know I have a gun in here.’ “
When he heard the two men trying to break in he grabbed his .22 caliber rifle
and defended his home near Jersey Shore. After they fled in a small dark-colored
car Hill didn’t stop. He said, “when they went up the hill over there, I
fired,” hoping to put tell-tale bullet holes in the pair’s getaway car. But
he was unsuccessful. A short time later, state police believe the same two men
sized up another home about ten miles away near Cogan Station.
According to police, they broke in and fought
with 75-year-old John Umstead. He managed to fight off the attackers but not
before suffering a blow to the head and a kick to the ribs. Although sore, he
said he was fine. Meanwhile both Umstead and Hill are working with police to
help catch the two burglars.
Hill said, “the cop asked me if the gun was loaded, and I said you’re happy
tootin’ it’s loaded – I keep it loaded.” He locks his doors, but added,
“if they get inside and if I have a gun I won’t aim to kill, but I will aim
to cripple.”
Hill said he had no regrets about grabbing his
rifle even before dialing 911. “I would do the same thing again … I
wouldn’t hesitate.” Police describe the suspects as white males in the
20’s or 30’s. One man is tall and skinny; the other is shorter with a stocky
build.
Anyone with any information about the burglars is asked to call state
police at Mountoursville at 368-5700.
