Daytona woman, 64, holds suspect in yard at gunpoint
By CHRIS GRAHAM, Staff writer
January 25, 2012 1:00 AM
Posted in: East Volusia
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2012/01/25/daytona-woman-64-holds-suspect-in-yard-at-gunpoint.html
DAYTONA BEACH -- A 22-year-old car theft suspect tried to elude police
Tuesday morning, but was stopped in his tracks when he was confronted
by a gun-toting 64-year-old woman.
"I was not going to let him go," said Karen Granville, who lives on
Redwood Street. "I just held my gun in my right hand until the police
arrested him."
Granville helped authorities nab Roderick Willis after he led them on
a short chase. He was suspected of driving a stolen vehicle,
authorities said.
Daytona Beach police were looking for a stolen vehicle about 3 a.m.
Tuesday when a Volusia County sheriff's deputy spotted an orange Dodge
Charger traveling west on Sixth Street. The deputy tried to stop the
vehicle, but a chase quickly ensued, according to a report from the
Volusia County Sheriff's Office.
A sheriff's helicopter tracked the suspect to Redwood Street, where
deputies say Willis ditched the vehicle in the driveway in front of
Granville's home.
Granville said she was up late because her cat had rousted her. She
was watching the Bravo channel when she heard a sheriff's helicopter
hovering above her house.
Moments later, she said she saw Willis run into her backyard and try
to scale her fence. Granville grabbed her .38 Special revolver and
followed him.
"My adrenaline was just flowing at 100 mph," she said. "I just said,
'Stop right there (expletive), or you're going to be dead where you
stand."
Granville held the man at gunpoint until police arrived.
Willis was charged with fleeing and eluding law enforcement, driving
with a suspended license, use of a vehicle to commit a felony,
possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine with the intent to
distribute. He was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on
Tuesday and released after posting $7,500 bail.
Willis, who could not be reached by phone Tuesday night, spent time in
jail last year for fleeing officers, court records show.
Volusia County sheriff's officials say the Dodge Charger belonged to
Hertz Rental Car Co. and was turned over to the company. Willis was
not charged with vehicle theft.
This is the second time in less than two weeks older city residents
have armed themselves to stop would-be criminals.
Charles Robbins, 82, shot and killed 24-year-old Tyler Orshoski after
the man apparently tried to break into his home Jan. 11. (Read the
story here.)
Police Chief Mike Chitwood said he doesn't encourage vigilante justice
but said people have the right to protect themselves or their
property.
"They're fed up with everything," he said. "People have to do what
they have to do."
Granville said she had to drink a glass of wine after the incident to
calm her nerves.
She said she hopes she never has to pull out her gun again.
"It was quite an experience," she said. "I'm just glad I could help."
CB
...
"The debt ceiling should not be something that is used as a gun
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