Man Holds Burglar At Gunpoint

Rick Morton owns a boat repair shop near Daphne. The Baldwin County businessman says his livelihood was threatened early Wednesday morning when a burglar broke into his garage.

"I don't like a thief," says Morton. Got know use for them. He didn't look like he was a rocket scientist, either. All he could say was I just wanted some gas. This isn't a gas station!"

Morton caught the burglar in the act when his alarm went off. Morton says he grabbed his pistol and verbally attacked the suspect with words not suitable for television. Morton then called 911, still holding the burglar at gunpoint. But the dispatcher told Morton to lower his weapon and wait for deputies. Morton did as he was told...and the burglar took off and ran.

"I wish they hadn't done it because he'd still be here. But it'd be difficult for an officer to come in here and here's a guy with a gun in his hand. I didn't want to kill him, I just wanted to make him change his shorts," laughs Morton.

Deputies say Morton was within his legal right to hold the suspect at gunpoint and protect his property and his life.