The Burglary Next Door (Chapter Two)

I wasn't really sure what to expect as far as hearing the police arrive on the scene. When I saw the helicopter's bright light from above, I had my answer.

I began hearing noises in the backyard of my house. I heard some shouting from people that sounded like they were police officers. I peeked out the window to see what I could see and I caught the tail end of what appeared to be undercover police officers pointing their guns and uniformed officers. Apparently the detectives who were in the area had also responded to the 911 emergency. They didn't announce to their counterparts because they were yelling at each other to drop their weapons.

So then I realize that they had come into my back yard and were jiggling the handle of my back door. Clearly the 911 operator did not get the message when I told her that the crime was being committed in the house just east of my house. So, I stuck my head out the door and yelled to the police officers that they were at the wrong house.

I went back inside and thought of what I should be doing at that moment. Thoughts came flooding into my mind about innocent bystanders being hit by stray bullets. So while I wanted to stand up and look out the window to see what was happening, I stayed on the floor for a few seconds. B calls to me from upstairs "what is happening?" My reply my based upon my current line of thinking "stay upstairs with JCG, I don't want you getting shot!"

It is at this point in the story that my memory gets a little fuzzy. I don't remember if I stood up (even against my better judgement because I might get shot) to see them arresting him in the other house or if I imagined what that scene was like after one of the officers was explaining the scene. Nevertheless, the next memory that is most clear in the chain of events was me seeing the person who had been crawling in the window, was now in handcuffs and was being led away by two officers.

I remember thinking at that moment how proud I was that we had been involved in foiling a crime. I remember thinking how appreciative my neighbors would be when they found out what we had done. So, I started out the door (after yelling upstairs to B that they had the "perp" in custody) to go interact with the officers to let them know that it was ME that had called them.

But then a thought occurred to me "What if this guy that they arrested was a gang member? What if he sees that it was me that called the police and that it was me that was going to have to testify against him in court?" I think I ultimately decided that because he was locked away in a "patty wagon" that he wouldn't be able to see me. Plus I wasn't going to let him steal this moment away from me.

I proceeded outside with my chest sticking out with pride. I saw one of my neighbors crossing the street as if to want to talk to me about what happened. It was at this moment the entire pride filled adrenalin pumping night was about to come crashing down.

...to be continued