Calm boy calls Salt Lake police on burglars

Michael could hear the intruders going through his house.

Hiding under his bed with only a phone in his hand and police dispatchers on the other end, the 11-year-old boy, who stayed home from school Tuesday because he was sick, tried to be as quiet as possible as he heard a "crash."

It was the sound of one of the burglars kicking in his locked bedroom door.

"I saw his feet," he said. "I don't think they knew I was in the house."

Michael remained motionless under the bed, anxious that the phone would be too loud.

"I was just hoping the person on the phone wasn't going to ask too many questions," he said.

But it was just a short time later that Michael, and the intruders, heard someone yelling from outside the house: "This is the police." Because of Michael's courage and ability to remain calm under pressure, Salt Lake police arrived while the burglars were still inside.

"I'm just amazed at how clearly he thought and how quickly he reacted," said his father, who called his son a hero.

Michael's amazing display of courage began just before 10:30 a.m. when he heard the doorbell at his back door ring. Michael said he looked out the window but did not recognize the man, so he did not answer.

A few moments later, the man rang the bell again. Again Michael did not answer.

After the second ring, Michael, who admitted he doesn't like being home by himself for long periods of time, watched the man walk around to the front where others joined him. It was at that point that Michael dialed 911 and just held the phone close, waiting to hit "send."

When it seemed apparent the men were headed back toward his house, Michael completed his 911 call as he ran upstairs to his room and locked the door.

Michael said he was scared, but remained calm as he told dispatchers his address. They told him to hide under his bed and then stayed on the phone with him to ease his nerves. The scariest moment came when one of the burglars broke into Michael's room.

Once Salt Lake police arrived and announced their presence, Michael could hear the invaders making a lot of movement, "like they were trying to get out," he said.

The officer saw two men run out of the house, said Salt Lake police spokeswoman Lara Jones. One ran to a pickup truck and took off. Another ran through backyards and over fences to get away. The officer initially thought there was a third thief, but no one else was spotted, Jones said. Both men remained on the run Tuesday evening.

Michael stayed under his bed until an officer came in his room and crouched down and assured him he was OK.

His parents arrived home a short time later, and Michael and his father went to each other and hugged without saying a word.