78-year-old burglary victim fires shotgun at burglar during incident

LAUREL, DE (WTXF) - A Delaware man has been arrested in connection with a burglary in which shots were fired at him by the homeowner.

According to a press release, the incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at a home on the 12000 block of Chipmans Pond Road in Laurel.

Troopers responded to the area of a report of a burglary.

When they arrived, a 78-year-old male victim explained that he had just returned home when he observed a black car in his driveway and damage to a window with some of his property lying underneath.

When he entered the home, he saw more property lying on the floor near the damaged window.

He was quickly startled by a male, later identified as 44-year-old Robert L. Jefferson, running through the home carrying some of his property.

The victim grabbed his 12-gauge shotgun and began searching for the suspect in his home and made several announcements that he was armed. He then saw Jefferson running through his yard towards his own vehicle.

Once Jefferson entered the car, the victim fired one birdshot round at the car and shattered the passenger's side window.

Jefferson was able to drive away from the residence in an unknown direction.

A general bulletin was issued over the radio with a description of the vehicle, and it was soon found in the parking lot of the Laurel Food lion by police officers.

Officers saw Jefferson entering the store and were able to locate him hiding in the rear of the store. He was taken into custody without incident, treated at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, and released with a minor abrasion to his back that may have been caused by one of the pellets.

He was charged with burglary 2 nd , possession of burglary tools, theft under $1500 where a victim is 62 or older, and criminal mischief.

The victim has not been charged with any crime.