A Lake Elsinore man suspected of burglarizing a Lakeland Village home Saturday night was arrested as he left the home through the front door by deputies that had been notified by an alert neighbor, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
The residents of the home in the 18000 block of Brightman Avenue were on vacation and the neighbor was watching the home while they were away, according to Sgt. David Cardoza. The neighbor saw an unknown man enter the home around 7:24 p.m. and notified the Sheriff’s Department.
Responding deputies established a perimeter around the home and saw a man inside they recognized from prior contacts as 31-year-old George Smedley, a transient from Lake Elsinore, according to Cardoza. Deputies confirmed that a burglary had taken place and arrested Smedley outside the front door.
Deputies also found methamphetamine and heroin as they arrested Smedley, Cardoza said. He was booked into the Southwest Detention Center for first-degree residential burglary, possession of a controlled substance, and violating probation, all felonies. Bail was set at $35,000.
I'm a bit confused why you think that "people like me" are the problem in this world. I have no issue with your protecting your family. I have no issue with your possessing firearms to protect your family. Don't you think your last comment is kind of silly? "if you are afraid of my protection then stay away from my property and no problems." I have NO IDEA where you live. And I'm not a druggie, nor a transient, nor a burglar, so I will never trespass on your property... or anyone else's, for that matter.
And here's some more insight about me: 1. I've been a registered Republican for over 30 years. (Joined the GOP so I could vote for Reagan back in the 1980 elections, and voted the Republican ticket ever since... until McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. SARAH PALIN for God sakes! What the hell was McCain thinking?!!) 2. I'm a gun owner. And a beer drinker... and a cigar smoker... and a meat eater.... and not some "tree huggin' libertard" as you seem to be implying. 3. I don't need to try and make gun owners look ignorant. Unfortunately, Wayne LaPierre, Alex Jones, and Ted Nugent have that job all wrapped up. (If our 2nd Amendment rights to gun ownership are ever taken away, it'll be because of these clowns and their "I need to defend myself from the tyrannical government" lunacy. BTW: All three of those idiots SHOULD have their guns taken away. Let's face it: They're crazy.) Again, I commend you for calling the police to handle the druggies trespassing on your property. That was the appropriate first step. And I wouldn't complain if you had to use your firearm to defend yourself against these guys if they broke into your home intending to do you harm before police could arrive. But let's face it. This story really IS the quintessential example of why a lot of folks buy guns... to protect themselves from drug addicts breaking into their homes. right?
And to give you some insight as to where I'm coming from with my original comment on this post, you may wish to read this Patch article and the first dozen or so comments: "UPDATE: Man Shot in Alleged Lakeland Village Home Invasion Identified." (I tried to provide a link to the article, but Patch instantly rejected it. Now why in the world would Patch reject a link back to its own article? And this has happened to me before. Makes no sense.)
An even better example of how big dogs and security cameras make a great 1st line of defense, make the bad guys go to the house without them...... Now, @ LBV Collins.....the last thing most gun owners ever want to do is have to use it! I shudder at the thought of having to defend my home with a gun, what a terrifying night that would be, but not as half as terrifying as the night your WISH you had a gun! Good job neighbors!
"...the last thing most gun owners ever want to do is have to use it!" I agree. "I shudder at the thought of having to defend my home with a gun, what a terrifying night that would be, but not as half as terrifying as the night you WISH you had a gun!" Me too. I believe that the vast majority of gun owners (like you and me) are rational... are reasonable... are sane. And we are NOT eager to shoot an intruder. The point of my original comment on this post is that I have read comments by others who seem to relish the idea of using their firearms to kill an intruder. (Oops...) I mean, who relish the idea of using their firearms to protect themselves from an intruder. In a previous comment, I referenced a story in the Patch that included comments supporting my belief that there are people eager to use their weapon to defend themselves. Here's a another Patch story: "Burglars Using Breaker Boxes to See if Anyone’s Home." Just read the comments.
I recently saw that whole "breaker box" gig....guess that is why most of small loops for little locks on them....crazy stuff
yep thats gary alright.. he is my girlfriends ex. he has been robbing houses and cars in that neighborhood for years including my girlfriends house numerous times. i caught him red handed in her house one time stealing her jewlery while she was at work but he ran away before cops could get there. i dont understand how they arrest him over and over for the same thing and let him out within a couple of days to continue doing it. he recently called my girlfriend at 4:30 in the morning to harass us from a phone he stoled from some lady.. something needs to be done about this looser... i also am a gun owner and would love for him to break into my house. just saying...
And you've been on the Patch long enough, and have read enough comments, to know what I said is true.