Crime & Safety

Burglar Screams, Flees as Victim Shoots Through Door

A frightened homeowner shoots through her door potentially striking a man who attempted to break in her home Saturday on Stone Ridge Trail.

Update: The suspect is now in custody, according to Wendy Rose of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. More information is expected to be released this morning.

Earlier: A frightened homeowner who heard glass breaking at her door during an attempted robbery Saturday, fired her gun for protection and potentially struck the would-be burglar.

That suspect is not in custody yet and is asking for your help to find the man.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A woman living in the 4600 block of Stone Ridge Trail in Sarasota called 911 just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday to report that a man had attempted to enter her home by breaking a glass door at the rear of the home.

The woman said in the call that she fired her .38 caliber gun twice through the door. The suspect screamed, she said, got into his vehicle and fled the scene. It is not known whether the suspect was injured or not.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I'm by myself and I keep a gun just for security reasons, and he was stepping in when I came out," the woman says in the call. ... I was just so frightened by the noise."

"I never used it except for target practice," the woman said as she cried, relaying her account to the dispatcher.

Deputies immediately began searching the area and issued a “be on the lookout” for the suspect and vehicle to all law enforcement agencies, according to the sheriff's office. Detectives alerted area hospitals in several counties for possible gunshot victims but have not located anyone seeking medical treatment.

The suspect is described as an Hispanic male in his 20s, average height and build and clean shaven. The vehicle is described as a newer, clean white SUV with a State of Florida, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tag.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Criminal Investigations at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477), or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com or via text message by texting TIP109 plus a message to CRIMES (274637).


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