Bodycam video: Ohio residents hold burglary suspect at gunpoint
02/11/2020 8:40 pm PST
By Jack Shea, WJW
WEST SALEM, Ohio (WJW) -- A burglar who used a pitchfork to break into several homes found himself looking down the barrel of a gun.
A deputy from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office was called to a rural area outside of West Salem, where two homeowners were holding a suspect at gunpoint.
When the burglar was confronted, he ran into a wooded area, but residents tracked him down by following his footprints in the snow. Deputy Steven Hunter quickly determined the suspect was wanted for a series of crimes across the county.
The man, 37-year-old Michael Hooser, can be heard on video telling the deputy he "might" have a handgun in his pocket. According to the police report, his pockets were full of items he stole during the break-ins, as well as a gun.
VIDEO: Body cam video: Residents hold burglary suspect at gunpoint in Wayne County - WJW