Pleasant Grove woman 'lucky' after intruder wrestles away her gun, police say

PLEASANT GROVE — Police are still looking for a man who broke into a home in Pleasant Grove Sunday and when confronted, fired a shot at the homeowner.

Police say there has been a rash of similar home burglaries in Utah County, and they're often related to drug use.

“I think she’s very lucky,” said Pleasant Grove Police Capt. Michael Smith, referring to the victim.

A lot could have gone wrong yesterday, when a masked man went into the home in the area of 800 South and 1100 East. The homeowner, who did not want to be identified, said his wife was home alone and in bed with a migraine, when she heard a strange noise.

The woman felt something wasn't right and grabbed a gun to protect herself. When she walked out of the bedroom and turned a corner, her husband said, the intruder came up behind her and wrestled the gun away.

During the struggle, the gun fired, police said. When the woman ran down the hallway, the intruder fired a second shot.

The man wasn't aiming for her but was just trying to scare her, police believe. He dropped the gun before making his escape.

“We did locate bullet holes in the walls of the hallway — one on each side of the hallway,” Smith said.

The homeowner said he has no idea how the robber got inside. There were no signs of forced entry, but investigators think they know what the intruder was after.

“People are going after pills and cash. It seems to be the big thing that we’re having right now, and I suspect this would be the same type of burglary,” Smith said.

He advises homeowners to keep their doors locked. And for those who own guns, be prepared for the potential risks.

“If you are a gun owner and you use guns, then know how to use guns and how to retain guns,” Smith said.

Investigators believe the intruder in Sunday's incident is likely behind other home burglaries in the area. Police have collected some evidence but say there's little to go on.

The victim's husband said he's just grateful no one was hurt.