Rockholds homeowner thwarts burglary

Friday the 13th was unlucky for an alleged Rockholds burglar, who was thwarted in his efforts after the homeowner returned home to her residence.About 11:05 a.m., Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies received a report from Whitley County 911 about a burglary, which had just occurred at Betty Swafford’s residence.

Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell said that Swafford had gone out to a local community center when she got a call from her son, who lived within sight of her home. Her son told her that it looked like Terry William Mullis, who also lived in the neighborhood, was on her porch. She then rushed home.

"When she got there, he had already gone in. She hollered at him. On about the third time, he came to the hallway and she tried to restrain him but it didn’t work," Harrell said. "He broke loose from her after a brief scuffle and fled to a wooded area."

Deputies Jeff Anderson and Cody Harrell responded and within minutes of their arrival apprehended Mullis, 29, of Rockholds, who they located less than half a mile from the Swafford residence.

When Mullis exited the woods, Sheriff Harrell said the two deputies grabbed him.

Anderson charged Mullis with second-degree burglary and first-degree fleeing or evading police and lodged him in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Harrell said Mullis didn’t leave the home with anything and that he appeared to be looking around when Swafford returned the home.

Swafford, who is an older lady, suffered some superficial scrapes during her altercation with Mullis and only had minor injuries.

Harrell recommends against trying to apprehend someone who is burglarizing your home.

"I think it is a terrible idea. The best thing to do is retreat and call 911," he said. "She could have been hurt badly and wasn’t. Fortunately, he was more interested in getting away that injuring her."