Retired librarian holds three burglary suspects on property until police arrive

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --A retired school librarian and his brother-in-law held three burglars at gunpoint until police could get to a property on West Kearney Street near West Bypass on Monday morning.  The three arrested men could face burglary charges.

"It was way out of character for me," said Ken Richardson, the retired librarian.

Richardson said, when he saw an unfamiliar vehicle parked in his family's driveway, he knew he had to do something.  The home belongs to the grandmother of Richardson's brother-in-law. 

"Gary grabbed his gun and said, 'Let's get in the truck and go,'" said Richardson.

Richardson said the two drove over to the house on Kearney.  He said they spotted three burglars in an outbuilding.  Richardson said that's when he pulled out a machete, normally used on his farm, and his brother-in-law pulled out his gun. 

"We made it real clear to get down on the ground and show us their hands," said Richardson.

The brothers-in-law said they did not have much time to think about their own safety. They said their concern was protecting the property.  They were able to keep the three men on the ground until police arrived.