Jan 15, 2008 4:04 pm US/Central
Richardson Burglary Suspects Crash Into Police Car
RICHARDSON (CBS 11 News) ―
A Richardson woman and her 18-month-old child cowered in a bathroom Tuesday as burglars invaded her home.
After she called for help, her husband and police arrived at the 600 block of Pine Valley in time to head off the getaway.
Police say the burglars apparently didn't know there was anyone home.
"She actually heard the commotion downstairs and she went down to look and saw people coming in," said Richardson Police Sgt. Kevin Perlich. "She went back upstairs and locked herself in a bathroom."
The woman managed to call her husband, who works nearby. The man headed home and arrived in time to find the suspects' car still in his driveway. The suspects soon left the house and the homeowner followed them through the neighborhood until they crashed their vehicle, nearly head-on, into the car of a Richardson police officer who was responding to the crime.
The patrolman was hurt in the crash but still managed to draw his weapon and hold a female suspect until backup arrived.
"It [the crash] was scary, it was pretty scary. It was pretty scary, then three guys jumped out the car and ran out," the homeowner explained.
With the help of police dogs, backup police officers eventually tracked down three young male suspects.
Two of the men managed to elude police for about an hour but were found hiding in a vacant house that was up for sale. They tried to flee over the roof but were chased down by police and the K-9's.
The homeowner, who didn't want to be identified, told CBS 11 News he was upset when he arrived because he didn't know what he might find.
"It was pretty scary, very scary, because I did not know what to do," he explained. "What's happening in my house? What's going on inside? And I didn't want to get in because I didn't know if they had a weapon or anything."
Police recovered a television and other items stolen from the home, but the items were damaged. Officers believe they've seen the handiwork of the suspects before and think they could be responsible for other burglaries in the area.
The Richardson police officer involved in the crash, 15-year veteran Lee Rhinesbarger, was treated and released from a local hospital.
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