Man Holds Burglar At Gunpoint

Alabama Baldwin County Baldwin County business owner turns tables on would-be-burglar...pull gun and tries to hold suspect until sheriff's deputies arrive

by Pat Peterson

Published: Thu, June 25, 2009 - 3:13 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, June 25, 2009 - 5:41 pm CST

Rick Morton owns a boat repair shop near Daphne. The Baldwin County businessman says his livelihood was threatened early Wednesday morning when a burglar broke into his garage.

"I don't like a thief," says Morton. Got know use for them. He didn't look like he was a rocket scientist, either. All he could say was I just wanted some gas. This isn't a gas station!"

Morton caught the burglar in the act when his alarm went off. Morton says he grabbed his pistol and verbally attacked the suspect with words not suitable for television. Morton then called 911, still holding the burglar at gunpoint. But the dispatcher told Morton to lower his weapon and wait for deputies. Morton did as he was told...and the burglar took off and ran.

"I wish they hadn't done it because he'd still be here. But it'd be difficult for an officer to come in here and here's a guy with a gun in his hand. I didn't want to kill him, I just wanted to make him change his shorts," laughs Morton.

Deputies say Morton was within his legal right to hold the suspect at gunpoint and protect his property and his life.

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minimay87 Says:

Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 7:42 am

In no way is it against the law to defend yourself and your property in a scenario such as this one. If someone comes on your property you have the right to do so. I would have done the same. Definitely would not have put the gun down, no telling what the suspect could have had on him then I would have been fair game. Probably the last time this guy is going to listen to what a dispatcher tells him. Better to handle things the old Southern way. Well of course within legal limits, lol.

Boondock Says:

Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 7:36 am

Fire the dispatcher!

mustuknow Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 10:06 pm

I do think that an officer that was advised that the business owner was holding the suspect at gunpoint would have approached the situation with caution and secured the scene, the suspect and the business owners weapon. Officers are trained to handled such situations. I personally would not have put the pistol down until officer arrived on scene and had their weapons drawn on the suspect…. maybe it is just me but I ain’t gonna let you run off when you just tried to rob me!!!

cmb1 Says:

Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 9:58 am

The dispatcher needs firing.. I would have told her i’ll put the gun down when the cops get here..
But if i caught him in my building i’d shot then called the police.

seniorguy302 Says:

Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 6:27 pm

my actions in this situation would have been same one as gentleman in tx. he waite d and waited, the killed em.ask for the dispatcher telling me to put down my gun, yea right, and cows fly.

FastFred Says:

Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 6:00 pm

This Dispatcher should be severely reprimanded.
The robber could have had a gun and shot the shop owner when the dispatcher told the shop owner to lower his weapon.I think in a case like this that would have involved myself,the only call that would have been necessary was the one to call the “Meat Wagon”

justme Says:

Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 5:51 pm

dispatcher must have had a blond moment