What started as a frantic pre-dawn emergency call turned into a bizarre string of twists involving porch intruders, pellet guns, and a panicked neighbor.
At 5 a.m., a Wheelersburg woman phoned Scioto County Sheriff’s Deputies in a frenzy, claiming strangers were lurking on her neighbor’s porch. She warned dispatchers she had a gun in hand and threatened to “shoot the first one that moves.” Deputies urgently ordered her to “put the gun away and stay inside” until help arrived.
When officers reached the scene, the story shifted. The woman explained she was keeping watch on a friend’s property with an RV for sale when she saw two men sitting on the porch. She yelled at them, they allegedly ran — but deputies found no intruders, no damage, no forced entry.
Then came the next twist: the woman insisted her own home was under attack. She pointed out holes in her siding, convinced someone was firing a pellet gun at her house. Deputies noted the damage could also have been caused by a lawn mower tossing rocks.
In the end, no suspects were located. Deputies filed a report, snapped photos, and promised extra patrols in the area.
🛑 What NOT to Do If You Think You Spot Intruders
- Don’t grab your gun first — pointing weapons can escalate situations fast and land you in legal hot water.
- Don’t confront suspects alone — yelling at strangers might make them flee, but it also puts you in danger if they fight back.
- Don’t assume every noise = danger — siding holes may come from rocks, not pellet guns. Check before panicking.
- Don’t wait to get cameras — install security cams before there’s trouble, not after.
✅ The Right Moves
- Call 911 immediately — let professionals handle it.
- Stay inside and lock up — deputies advised this for a reason.
- Document damage — photos and reports help build a case.
- Ask for extra patrols — police can step up presence in trouble spots.
