CRIME

Beavercreek man shoots at thief trying to break into wife’s car

Greene County Sheriff's office said no suspects identified

911 audio: Beavercreek man shoots at thief breaking into wife’s car

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By Christopher Magan, Staff Writer Updated 5:59 PM Wednesday, October 7, 2009

BEAVERCREEK TWP. — Greene County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating an attempted car break-in that resulted in a homeowner “recklessly” firing a handgun to scare away the would-be burglar.

Phil D. McCall, of 2281 Horseshoe Court in the Hunter’s Ridge subdivision, told 911 dispatchers he fired his .10 mm handgun twice after he discovered a man rooting inside his wife’s care overnight Oct. 6.

McCall told the dispatcher a “young punk kid” in baggy sweat pants rang his doorbell and then got inside his wife car. Another man was waiting for the robber in a four-door dark colored car idling with a loud-sounding muffler.

McCall said he grabbed his gun, ran outside in his underwear and yelled for the burglar to stop before firing two shots in the suspect’s direction, he said.

McCall said he was unsure if he wounded anyone during the shooting. “Well, I don’t know,” he told the dispatcher. “He left. He jumped in his car. I told him to stop. He didn’t stop. He was probably about 30 yards away from he. He won’t be back.”

McCall wasn’t sure what was taken from his wife’s car, he said.

In a separate 911 call Joe Sheehan, a neighbor on nearby Wild Dance Trail, said heard the gunshots from what he thought was a car shooting from Beaver Valley Road toward Horse Shoe Court. He saw the car drive northbound on Beaver Valley and, like McCall, said it had a loud-sounding exhaust.

Greene County Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Spicer said deputies continue to investigate the incident and are conferring with the county prosecutor’s office to determine whether McCall should face any charges. Authorities said McCall does have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Spicer said while firing a weapon in a residential neighborhood is dangerous, people should not try to take the law into their own hands. “It is extremely reckless and puts everyone at risk,” he said. “We strongly recommend against this and ask that suspicious activity be immediately reported to police.”

Deputies haven’t identified any suspects in the attempted robbery.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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