WORTH CO., GA (WALB) -
Citizen awareness pays off in Worth County. Two teens breaking into a home were arrested by deputies after the victim's neighbor held the crooks at gunpoint. It all happened in broad daylight.
Wayne Hancock says people in his Worth County neighborhood look out for one another, following a few break ins there they started paying extra close attention. So when he saw two men taking items out of the home across the street, he took out his gun.
Wayne Hancock took that statement to a new level last Friday afternoon.
"You want to look after your neighbors. I looked out that window there and once she brought it to my attention, I seen what was going on," he said.
Across the street from his home on Poplar Street was a burglary in progress. "I seen they were toting stuff out of the man's house. I told my wife they're breaking in it."
Hancock's wife called 911. Meanwhile "I grabbed my gun and went outside and tried to apprehend them."
Packing a nine millimeter he startled the burglars who jumped into a BMW. They tried to peel away, but ended up taking out a fence.
"He gets hung up on the culvert and ends up in the ditch with a right rear blowed out tire and he can't go nowhere," Hancock said.
"I you try to bring me harm I'm going to do what I have to do," said Hancock.
The suspects ignored his demands to get on the ground and took off running. Worth County deputies though were on the way.
"A deputy responded. Good work on the deputies, they didn't give up. They stuck with them and got Dougherty County to help out, too and eventually caught them," said Sheriff Freddie Tompkins.
18-year-old Kelvin Laster of Albany and 17-year-old Sekou Mitchell of Moultrie were arrested off Thomas Road in Dougherty County. The two were found in possession of stolen guns and electronics taken in two Worth County burglaries.
"Law enforcement- you're only as good as the information people call and gives you," said Tompkins.
"This day in time, everybody needs a gun for protecting what's yours and what's your neighbors," Hancock said.
Putting his own life on the line to help a neighbor, something Hancock says he'd do all over again.
Laster and Mitchell were booked into the Worth County Jail on burglary charges. It's possible they could face additional charges in connection to other break-ins.
Wayne Hancock says his neighborhood will put up neighborhood watch signs soon, but he and his wife will continue to pack heat.
Copyright 2012 WALB. All rights reserved.
Wayne Hancock says people in his Worth Co. neighborhood look out for one another
17-year-old Sekou Mitchell of Moultrie
18-year-old Kelvin Laster of Albany
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