Homeowner tackles intruder, holds him at gunpoint after hearing daughter’s screams, deputies say

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — A Lincoln County homeowner turned the tables on a man who broke into his home Thursday, tackling the intruder and then holding him at gunpoint until deputies arrived, authorities said.

The homeowner told deputies he was lying on his bed inside his home on Philadelphia Church Road when his wife and daughter returned from a dentist appointment Thursday, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.

Moments later, the man said he heard his daughter scream and ran to her room, where he confronted the intruder, identified as Jason Tillman.

He was able to tackle Tillman and held him at gunpoint until deputies got to the house, authorities said.

Nobody was hurt, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said they were already in the area for reports of a suspicious vehicle and break-ins to outbuildings on nearby Magnolia Grove Road. Detectives believe Tillman broke into the house through a basement window.

Tillman, 43, was charged with four counts of felony breaking and entering and one count each of attempted breaking and entering a building, larceny from a building and possession of stolen property.

More charges are possible, authorities said.

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