Chesnee mom pulls gun on man trying to break into home

CHESNEE, SC (FOX Carolina) -

Spartanburg County deputies said a drunk burglar is behind bars thanks to an armed mom and her son.

Deputies were called to Vicky Robert's home on Pruitt Drive just before 9 p.m. Wednesday after she reported a man was banging on her door and trying to break in.

Roberts told FOX Carolina the man continued to bang on the door louder and did not know who he was, so she went upstairs to get her gun then called her son and 911.

"I got my gun and got to the top of the stairs and thought if he comes through the door I will shoot him, and I told 911 that," said Roberts.

Roberts said while she waited for help to arrive she kept her .38 Special revolver aimed at the suspect, who was on the other side of the door with glass panes.

Roberts said eventually her son, who is a concealed weapons permit holder, showed up and pointed his gun at the man, telling him to stay where he was. The son's friend also helped detain the man.

The suspect, identified as 49-year-old James Landreth, refused to listen to the men and tried getting away, deputies said. That's when the friend shoved and kicked Landreth, according to a sheriff's office report.

The report said the men held Landreth in the carport and waited for deputies to arrive, and at one point, Landreth begged for them to shoot and kill him.

Deputies said when they pulled up to the home, Landreth was sitting down on the ground, had a cut over an eye, a banged up elbow and appeared extremely intoxicated.

Landreth was taken to the hospital for treatment, then taken to jail on charges of second-degree burglary and public disorderly conduct, deputies said. Landreth was given a $5,500 bond and ordered to have no contact with the victims during a bond hearing Thursday.

The report did not say why Landreth was allegedly trying to break into the home.

Roberts said she is glad her ordeal ended without gunfire.

"I didn't want to have to shoot anybody, it's not something I ever want to have to do," Roberts said. However, Roberts says she would have fired if she had to and recommends women be ready to defend themselves. "Get a weapon. Know how to use it. And just be ready."

http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/23349812/deputies-chesnee-woman-holds-drunk-burglar-at-gunpoint