Ronn Rodine used his 12 gauge shotgun to hold an intruder in his home until police arrived.
/ Photo Courtesy: KDVR
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A Colorado Springs homeowner used his shotgun Thursday morning to detain a burglary suspect until police arrived.
Lonn Rodine said he woke up to some noise in his home and thought it was an animal but quickly discovered it was a burglar trying to take his computer monitor.
"I was already out of my bed, and I have a shotgun next to my bed, and I grabbed the shotgun," Rodine said.
He said he waited until the i ntruder went into the kitchen where Rodine knew he would be trapped and then prepared himself for the confrontation.
He said he fully expected the suspect to be armed.
"This guy was really really bold. He was dressed in full tactical gear. Black (shirt), black (pants), a swat type shirt, military ammo gun belt and swat pants, and a black stocking cap," Rodine said.
Rodine ordered the suspect, who was later identified as a juvenile, to the ground.
"He was crouched anyway and when he saw the gun he just went into full submission and that's when I asked him to lay face first and he was compliant, so nobody got hurt," Rodine said.
He said without gun protection he would have been trapped, but he added that the only reason the gun was helpful was because he's been properly trained.
"If you just have a gun it's like waving a stick if you don't know how to use it."
Rodine held the suspect on the ground until police arrived just a few minutes later and arrested him.
The suspect told police he had been there before.
"I don't know what that meant at all" Rodine said. But he added that had noticed a sign of an attempted break in at his home about a week prior.
Rodine said the suspect had taken several guns from his home Thursday and had placed them in a wheelbarrow in his back yard.
"He was very apologetic, but I let him do all the talking" Rodine said.
Rodine said he's glad he had his gun to protect him but warns those thinking about purchasing one to get proper training.
"If you have a gun you should know how to use it properly, and guns prevent loss of life whether people think so or not."
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