Police: Homeowner grabs gun, takes down intruder
ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Roseburg police say a 68-year-old homeowner grabbed a gun and confronted an intruder on Thursday, and was eventually able to hold the suspect down until police arrived.
Police were called to a residence in the 800 block of Esperanza on Thursday just before 2:30 p.m.
Authorities say that Michael Lee Hatton, 27, a local area transient, broke into the residence through a bathroom window.
Police say the 68-year-old homeowner confronted Hatton with a handgun.
Officials say Hatton started to fight with the man over the gun, but during the struggle the homeowner threw the handgun out of reach.
Officers say that Hatton also disabled a phone that the homeowner was using to call 911.
The man eventually pinned Hatton down and held him there until police officers arrived.
Police say Hatton then fought with officers and refused to be taken into custody. After a brief struggle with police, they say they were able to get him handcuffed.
Hatton received medical treatment at the scene for minor injuries he sustained during the struggle with the homeowner and officers. Neither the man or the officers involved were injured.
Officers say they learned that Hatton also had a felony warrant for his arrest issued by the Oregon State Parole Board for absconding.
Hatton was taken to the Douglas County Jail and lodged on charges of first degree burglary, second degree theft, resisting arrest and interfering with a report, among other charges.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Web site, Hatton is not eligible for bail.
I went to school with this guy for six years. He was not a bad a kid I don't know what happened to him......
Hatton had burglarized this home many times in the past few months according to the homeowner and had stolen pain medication prescribed for the homeowners cancer strickened wife.  Now, I admit the homeowner seems a little odd, but he stated he hired Hatton to do a few chores around the house.  He said he felt sorry for Hatton who had just been released from prison and was living down by the river. Â
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Don't trust these career criminals, folks. Â There truly is no rehabilitation for them. Â Prior to going to prison, Hatton was in our jail on drug charges and opted for in house drug treatment program. Â You can see how well that went. Â Â Â
Good for the homeowner....he should have shot and asked questions later! Anyone who violates another person's home, deserves to be shot. With us "older" people who own handguns and know how to use them, they (punks) better be prepared to take what's coming to them. I'm just glad the homeowner and his family are safe.
this is why are kids are the way they are when it comes to bullying on the computer cause they see there parents doing it
 @Mrs. T How is this bullying, Mrs. T?  He won't even read it.  It's hard to bully somebody when they don't know what's going on. Â
its nice to see people can get on here and talk crap bout someone when they dont even know then
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 @Mrs. T What's to know? The story says enough. 27 years old, transient, prior warrants, breaking into someone else's house. Hopefully he will stay locked up for a while. You must be his mom. I'm sorry.
 @Mrs. T Actually, I know Hatton.  I know he's spent most of his adult life in one correctional facility or another.  I know his drug of choice is methamphetamine.  I also know he likes to steal things from cars.  Of course, a quick google search will tell anybody that.  How about this?  I also know his sister, Jen, who has spent plenty of time in jail too.  Still think I don't know who he is?  Â
i would have hoped the homeowner had of shot this pos.
Getting beat up by a retiree sure hurts the street cred.
 @oregonhusker i dont think he did and screw the street cred
 @Mrs. T He broke out one of Hatton's teeth with a wrench, Mrs. T.  I'd say that's getting beaten up.
 @Mrs. T What's even the point of this reply?