Deputies: Business owner fired warning shots during break-in attempt

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies said a business owner was ready with a loaded gun when a man tried to steal from him early Wednesday morning.

Sheriff’s deputies said Gary Hutchison was caught in the act of stealing copper radiators and wires from a garage.  Investigators said just as he was leaving, the business owner woke up and fired three warning shots.  He then held Hutchison at gunpoint until deputies arrived, investigators said.

“Obviously I can't suggest the public hold someone there but, however, I'm not going to lie -- the public sometimes gets fed up, and I don't blame them,” said Sgt. David South with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators said the garage owner had a break-in happen a few weeks ago and was sleeping in the business, afraid it would happen again.

Neighbors like Luke Hughes spoke out in support of what the garage owner did.

“I think if more people did that, there would be less people out there trying to steal from others,” Hughes said.

Deputies said Hutchison didn't want medical attention after the shooting, but they took him to a hospital as a precaution, where they learned one of the rounds hit him in the foot.

Deputies said there have been other break-ins in the area and that Hutchison has been arrested in the past in connection with other burglaries.

Deputies said their investigation into the incident is continuing.

WSOC