Neighbors Thwart Possible Burglary, Hold Intruder For Cops

WINTER HAVEN, FL — Two Florida neighbors thwarted a possible burglary on Monday, tackling the intruder and holding him at gunpoint until police arrived.

Thirty-two year-old Brandon Jo Patterson was charged with throwing a deadly missile at a building, attempted burglary of dwelling, burglary of an occupied structure and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to Jamie Brown of the Winter Haven Police Department.

Brown said the incident began around 12:35 p.m. when one of the neighbors allegedly saw Patterson throw a brick into the window of his neighbor's Lake Howard Home along Lake Howard Dr. NW.

"Patterson, who appeared to be incoherent, took off his belt and proceeded to hit the front glass window of the residence," according to Brown. "The neighbor, who lives next door to the incident location tried to get Patterson's attention by banging on his own window to interrupt the attempts to shatter the glass of the neighbor's residence."

That's when Patterson allegedly turned his attention to the neighbor's home. Police said he picked up a brick paver and used it to shatter the neighbor's glass window.

"The resident retrieved a firearm in the home and when he approached the window, Patterson was walking towards the window," Brown said. "The resident fired one round in the direction of the broken window and where Patterson was approaching in order to prevent him from entering the residence."

The resident who lives in the home where Patterson allegedly first attempted to break the window also came out and confronted Patterson.

"Both of the residents tackled Patterson and held him on the ground until officers arrived on scene," said Brown. "It is still unclear why Patterson acted in the manner he did."

Brown said Patterson was taken to Winter Haven Hospital for a medical evaluation before being taken to Polk County Jail.

Police said he had no known address.