A man broke into a Wilson Borough apartment and attacked the armed homeowner, taking the gun and threatening to shoot her, borough police said.

Jerome Falwell, of the 400 block of West Wilkes-Barre Street in Easton, was arrested Thursday night after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase in the borough and West Easton.

The 34-year-old Falwell is facing 20 charges, including burglary, aggravated assault, robbery and carrying a firearm without a license. He was sent to Northampton County Prison Friday morning in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Wilson police said they were called 9:40 p.m. Thursday for a burglary in progress at an apartment in the 2100 block of Freemansburg Avenue.

As an officer headed over, the caller reported the burglar was assaulting her.

The victim later told police Falwell broke into her apartment while she and her three children -- all under the age of 12 -- were there. She retrieved her gun from a safe and put it in her sweatshirt pocket.

When the victim told Falwell to get out of the apartment, he allegedly began fighting with the woman for the gun.

Falwell slammed the woman to the ground and wrestled the gun away, then pointed it at the victim and threatened to shoot her, according to police.

"I will kill you right now," he reportedly said.

The family's dog attacked Falwell, and he allegedly threatened to shoot the dog.

When the officer arrived, he saw a man later identified as Falwell standing by the driver's side of a car. Falwell quickly reached for his keys and got into the car, as the victim yelled, "He took my gun, he took my gun," according to police.

The officer drew his firearm and ordered Falwell to stop, but Falwell instead sped off down Freemansburg Avenue. Another officer tried to block the street with his cruiser, but Falwell continued fleeing, police said.

Falwell allegedly nearly hit two pedestrians, and was traveling so fast his 2001 Honda was bottoming out several times during the chase.

Falwell only stopped after hitting a dead end on Ninth Street, police said.

Falwell was arrested, and reportedly police he threw the gun into nearby shrubs when he got out of the car. The loaded 9mm, which belonged to the victim, was recovered.

Falwell told officers he had weed on him, and police said they found 26.9 grams, nearly one ounce, of marijuana on him.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.