A 73-year-old woman kept three suspects in check until deputies could arrive at her home.

Officers said the three people broke into her home during a chase.

The tracks in the grass mark the path where a police pursuit ended.

“I could see the dust and the smoke rising from the car,” said Janice Hamby, who witnessed the incident.

Hamby did not know that the car that passed her driveway Wednesday night was stolen three weeks ago. She also did not realize that Boone police were chasing the four people inside until she heard the sirens.

Then she called 911.

“I told the operator the black car that police are chasing is in my yard,” she said.

Police said the driver saw an officer, knew police were looking for the stolen car, but made the mistake of getting onto curve Fairway Drive, where he lost control.

The officer in pursuit did not see the car roll off the road, so when neighbors called 911, they helped police locate the car.

The driver and two of the three women in the car with him ran to the home of a 73-year-old woman who pulled a gun on them.

“I am glad she stood up for herself,” Hamby said.

Deputies said the elderly woman, who has a military background, did not budge. The trio were arrested while they were trying to take the woman’s car, deputies said.

They arrested Jermaine Grundy, Carolyn Hackett, Denise Ferguson and Angela Calloway.

Police said the neighbors in the small community helped bring the chase to an end.

 “It’s a very close neighborhood and they all work well with police,” said Capt. Jim Wilson.

Police said they are happy to get the car and the suspects off the road. They said another driver in the same car ran through a license checkpoint over the weekend.

They tried to pursue the driver, but could not catch up.