The Break In

Mark slept on the couch the night he wrestled a kid breaking in to his truck. Not feeling well at 3 a.m. he got out of bed and headed for the couch. As he was settling in, car lights hit the curtains. Thinking nothing of it, he tried to sleep.

Five minutes later the lights were back, this time moving much slower. He found this strange due to the fact that it was three in the morning and a week day. Glancing out the window he noticed his truck door wide open. The truck was parked on the street in front of the house and it was unlocked. There were several cars on the street that night but Mark's truck ended up being the target.

He saw someone going through his glove box with their back to the house. Without thinking of calling the cops or waking his wife he bolted out the door. Without the slightest chance for the kid to escape, Mark grabbed the kid by the neck. Man handling the kid while walking to the house, Mark was yelling for his wife.

"Ann call the cops!"

Ann who was startled by the yelling immediately made the phone call. While getting twenty questions from the cops the kid managed to wrestle away from Mark. The kid didn't get far because before he knew it, Mark had thrown him to the ground and was on top of him.

The kid was pleading and begging for Mark to let him go. Thinking about giving into the plea Mark let up on his hold. But deciding not to let him go Mark began to wrestle with the kid.

The kid broke free and ran up the street like this wasn't the first time he had done this. Mark chased after him because he was not about to let this punk get away. When the kid got out of Mark's head lock, his hat flew off into the yard. Not realizing he lost the hat, he ran up the street, running past his getaway car.

"Start the car, start the car." He was yelling to his getaway. The car started and plowed up the street. After running a couple blocks, Mark didn't catch the kid. But he did catch the license plate number.

Out of breath, not feeling well, and no kid in hand, Mark was determined to get the cops the license plate number. Picking up the hat on the way into the house he noticed the kid’s full name was written on the inside. Having both the license plate number and full name gave this kid no chance of actually getting away.

The cops caught the two kids on their way to Mark's house. Satisfied with this kid not being on the streets anymore, Mark thought that was the end of it. He had landed a story in the Journal Star and was the talk of the neighborhood. A couple weeks later he received a letter from Cedars group home. Not knowing anyone in a group home he was very interested in what the letter was about. The letter was concerning the kid who attempted the break in. It was asking permission for an apology to be mailed to Mark. The apology letter never made it to Mark's house but he decided this kid will never be seen in his neighborhood again.

Not feeling well and sleeping on the couch started this crime stoppers event. Mark locks his truck now and all of the neighbors do as well. Mark didn't intend on being on neighborhood watch that night but instead it was the right time, right place.

Contact Mark Moss at 402-464-3728