Ohio Self-Defense: Alleged burglar stopped by armed resident :: 01/23/2016

A Springfield resident stopped an alleged burglar at gunpoint over the weekend.

Royce Richard Willmeth, 31, is being held in the Clark County Jail on suspicion of burglary and possessing criminal tools.

According to court records, on the morning of Jan. 16, Willmeth allegedly used a screwdriver to force open a rear garage door of a home on Stanton Avenue and rummaged through property.

The residents, a man, wife and their children, were home at the time of the burglary.

The victims told police they were awakened by their home alarm system. The husband got up to check the garage door and found it was closed, but the system continued to sound the alarm and upon checking the garage door a second time, the man saw the defendant exiting the home, according to court records.

On his way out, he was stopped by the resident, who had a gun and held the suspect there until police arrived, according to records.

The resident drew his firearm and ordered the man to stop.

Officers arrived and found the defendant lying on the ground at gunpoint.

Police said Willmeth was found to be in possession of criminal tools including gloves, a pocket knife, flashlights, and the screwdriver.

Willmeth is being held on $15,000 cash bond.

http://www.whio.com/news/news/crime-law/alleged-burglar-stopped-by-armed-springfield-man/np7pY/