Hermitage man defends neighbor's property from thieves

One Hermitage homeowner living in a community on Netherlands Drive, may be thinking he has some of the best neighbors around.

After all, how many neighbors are not only willing to call the police when your property is apparently being stolen, but also block the suspects from leaving and holding them at gunpoint until officers arrive?

This is the scene that unfolded on Netherlands Drive this week, when a resident noticed a strange pickup truck back into his neighbor's driveway, police said, then appear to try and steal a utility trailer.

"..he quickly drove his own pickup truck to the scene and blocked the thieves’ escape path," police said in a statement." The neighbor detained one of the suspects at gunpoint while two others, a man and a woman fled. When the guy who fled turned around and started to come back with his hands around his waist, the neighbor fired a warning shot in the air, causing that man to turn around and resume running."

Hermitage Precinct officers arrived shortly and found Marty Ray Harris, 40, of Fairview, being held at gunpoint by the neighbor.

Police said Harris admitted to detectives that he and his accomplices intended on stealing and selling the utility trailer to support a heroin habit.

Harris is jailed in lieu of $10,000 bond on charges of felony attempted theft and misdemeanor vandalism.

Reporter Jordan Buie can be reached at 615-726-5970 or on Twitter @jordanbuie