Published: December 23, 2008 09:01 am      

Victim jumps into intruder’s getaway van

BEREA — When a Berea man went to his bathroom Dec. 15 to investigate the sound of a window breaking, he found himself confronting a 6-foot, 2-inch intruder who held a small pistol.

The resident got into a struggle with the intruder, who went back out the window, according Capt. Ken Clark, Berea police spokesperson.

Once outside the house, the intruder jumped into a 1999 Pontiac van and attempted to flee. The resident gave chase, and as the van paused at a stop sign, the resident jumped into the van and began to hit the suspect as he drove.

The suspect stopped the van on Old US 25 and ran into a field.

Police obtained the van owner’s name through a records check and went to his home on Peachtree Drive.

“Do you know where your van is?” they asked the owner.

“It’s out back,” he said, and led police behind his house, only to discover the van was gone.

The van owner told police he had left the keys in a bucket between the vehicle’s front seats, Clark said.

The van, valued at $4,500, was undamaged and has been returned to the owner.

Police continue to search for the intruder who took nothing from the home.

On Dec. 17, someone attempted to set fire to two vehicles parked at a Walnut Meadow Road apartment building, Clark said.

Only one was set ablaze, however, causing $2,500 in damage to a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The seat of a 1997 Dodge avenger was cut and gasoline was poured into the interior, but there was no fire. Damage was estimated at $250.

A third vehicle was entered and two handguns, valued at $900, were taken.

On Sunday, a golf cart valued at $1,800 was reported stolen from the Berea Country Club.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Berea Police Department at 986-8456.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.