Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, February 11, 2016
(BLOOMINGTON) - Two Bloomington men awakened by the sounds of their home-security alarm going off and noises from the garage Wednesday morning stopped an intruder and held him until police arrived.
According to Bloomington Police Capt. Steve Kellams, Kyle Kaericher grabbed a flashlight, his pistol, called 911 and alerted his brother and went to investigate.
When the men entered the garage they found a strange man inside.
Kyle Kaericher told the man he was under "citizen arrest" and the brothers dragged the man away from the garage. Jeremy Kaericher put the man in a choke hold during the scuffle and held him by the roadway until police arrived.
Sgt. Kellams says citizen's arrests are legal, but must be carried out in connection with a felony or misdemeanor crime that constitutes a breach of peace.
Because of past break-ins to the homes on the south side of town, Kyle had purchased a set of handcuffs online and placed them on the suspect. That is when they found the man was armed with an expandable baton.
Bloomington police arrested 42-year-old James Cornwell. Police found Cornwell also had bolt cutters on his person.
Police say Cornwell entered the garage after kicking in the garage door. Boot prints found on the door matched the boots Cornwell was wearing.
Cornwell, who refused to speak to police, was arrested on charges of attempted burglary and taken to the Monroe County Jail at 4:30 a.m. He is being held on a $10,000 surety, $500 cash bond.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.