A burglar made a big mistake by challenging an armed homeowner to try and kill him during a home invasion.
The Georgia homeowner confronted the crook in the basement of his property on Thursday, Fayette County Sheriff Barry Babb told WAGA-TV.
Before coming face-to-face with the unwelcome thug, the homeowner had called the police to report an intruder.
The home’s alarm system was also alerting the police about a break-in.
Babb says that the homeowner confronted the intruder in the basement and gave him a warning.
When the criminal refused to back down, the homeowner fired one gunshot and struck the intruder.
The homeowner then took up a position at the top of his staircase on the second story of the home while he waited for police to arrive.
Babb said that the suspect started going up the stairs to attack the homeowner.
The thug then yelled out the homeowner, warning him: “You’re gonna have to kill me.”
As the robber continued to approach, the homeowner was left with no choice but to shoot him a second time.
Deputies arrived just after the second shot was fired.
Sheriff Babb said they struggled with the intruder as they tried to take him into custody.
The suspect was then transported to a local hospital.
He was treated for his two gunshot wounds and survived.
Babb told WAGA that the suspect was connected to a “string of crimes.”
Those crimes include a possible murder outside of the state of Georgia.
Police are working with law enforcement authorities in that separate state.
The man chose the home at random, police believe.
He had reportedly tried to gain entry into other homes in the upscale neighborhood.
Authorities have not released the identities of the homeowner or the suspect.
They expect to release more information about the incident as their investigation continues.
Fayette County is in the northern part of the state and includes about 120,000 residents.
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