A trio of armed robbers ran headlong into bad luck last week when their plot to steal a victim's watch during what was supposed to be an in-person sale was thwarted after the victim's gun-toting uncle saw the crime unfolding and opened fire, police in Texas said.

Mark Herman, Precinct 4 Constable of Harris County, described what went down during a news conference; his remarks begin just before the 14-minute mark.

'Why would you go meet someone you don't know to try to sell something in a parking lot?'

Herman said the victim was attempting to sell his watch and agreed to meet the buyer around 8 p.m. Thursday outside a Costco in the 26940 block of Northwest Freeway. The location is in Cypress, which is about 30 minutes northwest of Houston.

But the buyer had no intention of paying for the watch. Instead, he brought two other people with him, and they ended up pulling guns on the victim in an attempt to rob him, Herman said.

While they ended up taking the watch, Herman said the victim's uncle walked out of the Costco, saw the robbery happening, and opened fire.

In fact, Herman said the uncle ended up shooting two of the three suspects before they all fled the scene.

Two of the suspects — ages 17 and 18 — were hospitalized, Herman said, adding that one of them had surgery, and both are expected to survive. Herman said aggravated robbery charges will be filed against both of them.

The third suspect — age 16 — also was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and turned over to juvenile authorities.

Police said multiple firearms as well as the stolen property were recovered during the investigation.

KRIV-TV's video report indicated that it's not known if the uncle came with his nephew for the transaction or if he just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

In the end, Herman cautioned against such in-person transactions — even when they're in public places, noting "how much more public can you get" than outside a Costco.

"Why would you go meet someone you don't know to try to sell something in a parking lot?" Herman noted during the news conference. "Why even put yourself in that position?"

He added that there have been cases in which strangers come to houses for transactions — and "now they know where you live."

"Don't do it," Herman warned, adding that "for a few hundred dollars you're risking your life" and that "it's all common sense."

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2 Florida 15-year-olds accused of threatening to shoot up high schools

Two 15-year-old males are accused of threatening to shoot up Florida high schools and were arrested last week.

One teen is from Volusia County, and the sheriff's office said officers responded Thursday to a tip about him. The second teen is from Okaloosa County, and the sheriff's office reportedly arrested him last Monday.

'I commend those who reported the threats. Their willingness to speak up may have prevented a dangerous situation.'

Blaze News is not naming or showing the faces of the suspects due to their ages.

The Okaloosa County 15-year-old lives in Fort Walton Beach and was charged with issuing a written/electronic threat to commit a mass shooting and using a two-way communication device to commit a felony, the sheriff's office told WEAR-TV.

The sheriff's office said the teen's threats were directed toward Choctawhatchee High School and that "investigation witnesses" told the sheriff's office that the suspect "had been making increasingly specific threats between December 2025 and January 2026," the station reported.

Officials were notified Jan. 16, WEAR said.

The sheriff's office noted to the station that a "forensic analysis of his phone revealed it contained a document titled 'List 2026' containing names of students that attend or have attended Choctawhatchee High School" but that "no weapons were found."

The suspect admitted to investigators that he made the threats but said that they were "jokes," WEAR reported.

Sheriff Eric Aden had the following to say about the incident, according to the station:

I commend those who reported the threats. Their willingness to speak up may have prevented a dangerous situation. Reporting concerns is the best way to protect your classmates, your school, your community, and yourself. I encourage parents to please talk to your children about the seriousness of violent statements and the importance of reporting concerning behavior immediately to school administrators or law enforcement. We are proud of our successful partnership with the Okaloosa County School District as well as those who did the right thing and came forward.

The teen in question was transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice facility near Crestview, WEAR said.

As for the 15-year-old from Volusia County, the sheriff's office said it responded to a tip about an Atlantic High School student "who posted about shooting up his high school."

Image source: Volusia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office video screenshot

Officials said Thursday he's "in custody for a felony. I can't solve every issue out there that might cause a 15-year-old to post what he posted. But I can guarantee we're going to act quickly to protect the 99% of kids who just want to know they're safe at school. Once again, parents, talk to your kids before they make this mistake."

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Stolen car goes airborne 'Dukes of Hazzard' style amid police chase — but occupants sure ain't no Bo or Luke

Police in Aurora, Colorado, got involved in a vehicle chase shortly after midnight earlier this month — and officers weren't by any stretch up against some "good old boys, never meanin' no harm" as Waylon Jennings famously crooned.

In fact, police said the vehicle they were after was reported stolen — and things only got worse.

'We'll do anything, bro!'

Police said they first attempted to use StarChase equipment on the car in question; police said StarChase mechanisms are attached to the front of patrol vehicles, and when activated, they shoot a sticky GPS "dart" at the back of "whatever vehicle we are aiming at."

But cops said the dart missed, so officers activated their lights and sirens.

However, pulling over wasn't in the cards. Not only that, a masked back passenger leaned out of the car and pointed a gun at officers, police said.

While no shots were fired, police said officers knew "it was critical to stop these individuals. That’s when a pursuit began."

That's when things got even more, shall we say, hazardous.

Cops remarked that the car in question hit a median "Dukes of Hazzard" style — and police video indeed catches the moment when the vehicle goes airborne.

"It may be 2026, but cars probably shouldn’t be flying like that," cops remarked.

Image source: Aurora (Co.) Police video screenshot

Police said the car crashed at Boiling Drive and North Hannibal Street, but the suspects still wouldn't call their desperate dash quits — and they decided to run for it.

It was all for naught, however, as cops said they soon found all three suspects — 18-year-old Angelo Munguia, 18-year-old Watti Heng, and a 17-year-old male — hiding in backyards.

Image source: Aurora (Co.) Police video screenshot

One of them was heard on video begging as officers approached, "We'll do anything, bro!"

Munguia was facing charges of felony menacing, obstructing a peace officer, violation of a protection order, and motor vehicle trespass, police said, while Heng was facing charges of eluding, motor vehicle theft, and obstructing a peace officer.

Image source: Aurora (Co.) Police video screenshot

You can check out video below showing part of the chase, the flying car, and the suspects with their hands held high.

"They were taken into custody and SHOCKER, the car did indeed come back stolen out of a neighboring city," police said.

And as Mr. Jennings knew all too well, "That's just a little bit more than the law will allow."

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Florida man chases alleged armed crooks out of his home, rams their SUV into ditch — but trio flee on foot into woods

The sheriff's office in Bay County, Florida, said officers responded Tuesday to a reported home invasion robbery at a residence in the 8200 block of Random Road. The area is about 10 minutes north of Panama City Beach.

Patrol deputies made contact with the victim, who reported that two masked suspects entered his home while he was sleeping and stole a large amount of cash, officials said.

He said Swartz earlier in the evening contacted him by phone requesting to visit his home and stating that she got his number through a mutual acquaintance, officials said.

The victim stated he confronted the suspects inside the residence and chased them out, officials said, adding that the suspects then fled in their SUV.

The victim then entered his own vehicle and pursued the SUV off Random Road and eastbound on Highway 388, officials said.

During the chase, the victim reported striking the suspect vehicle multiple times in an attempt to stop it, officials said, adding that after the final impact, the suspect vehicle swerved and crashed into a ditch.

When deputies arrived, they learned that the occupants of the crashed vehicle fled on foot into a nearby wooded area, officials said.

Investigators soon learned that the crashed vehicle was registered to 22-year-old Sarra Swartz, officials said.

While processing the scene, investigators found a large amount of cash in the vehicle and on the ground near the driver’s door, officials said, adding that the cash appeared consistent with the victim’s report of money taken during the home invasion.

The victim amid the investigation also provided additional information about events preceding the robbery, officials said.

Image source: Bay County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

He said Swartz earlier in the evening contacted him by phone requesting to visit his home and stating that she got his number through a mutual acquaintance, officials said.

The victim agreed, and Swartz arrived soon after and remained at the residence for about 15 to 30 minutes before leaving, officials said.

The victim added that he displayed a large amount of cash while giving money to his girlfriend — and while Swartz was present — which may have been observed, officials said.

After Swartz left, the victim fell asleep, officials said, after which he said his girlfriend woke him up screaming that individuals were taking his money.

The victim saw two masked males inside the residence, officials said, and described one as a tall, larger white male and the other as a shorter black male armed with a baseball bat.

The victim’s girlfriend also reported seeing what appeared to be a handgun in the possession of one of the suspects, officials said.

Deputies detained one suspect in the woods, later identified as 37-year-old James Crowe, officials said, adding that Crowe provided information identifying two additional suspects and detailed events leading up to and following the robbery.

As the search continued, investigators found Swartz walking along a road west of the crash site, officials said.

A short time later, investigators saw the third suspect, Devarius Stewart, seated in the passenger seat of a vehicle stopped in the area, officials said.

Stewart initially refused commands to exit the vehicle, officials said. However, with the arrival of additional units, Stewart and Swartz were detained and transported to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for interviews, officials said.

(L to R) James Crowe, Sarra Swartz, Devarius Stewart. Image source: Bay County (Fla.) Jail, composite

Crowe, Swartz, and Stewart were arrested and charged with home invasion robbery with a deadly weapon, officials said.

Bay County Jail records indicate that all three remained behind bars Friday morning; Swartz's bond is $75,000, Stewart's bond is $100,000, and Crowe is being held without bond. Records also indicate that Crowe faces an additional charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon; his bond is $20,000 for that charge.

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Florida home invader threatens homeowner with weapon, advances toward him, refuses to leave. But crook picks wrong victim.

A home invader in Tallahassee, Florida, picked the wrong victim late last week.

The Leon County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a report of shots fired in the 5400 block of Touraine Drive around 9:40 p.m. Friday and found a male suffering from a gunshot wound.

'Completely justified! Homeowners have a right to defend their property, their lives, and their families.'

Detectives determined the male entered a home uninvited and refused to leave after multiple requests from the homeowner, officials said.

The suspect then threatened the homeowner with a weapon while advancing toward him, officials said.

With that, the homeowner fired a single round from a semi-automatic handgun, striking the suspect, officials said.

The suspect was taken to a hospital in critical condition, officials said, adding that no other individuals in the home were hurt.

Officials said charges are pending in the ongoing investigation.

Image source: Leon County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office

As you might expect, commenters under the Facebook post about the shooting from sheriff's office were decidedly backing the homeowner's actions:

"This the epitome of 'fawk around and find out,'" one commenter wrote. "I hope those 'pending [charges]' aren't against the homeowner."
"Completely justified!" another user said. "Homeowners have a right to defend their property, their lives, and their families."
"Good for the homeowner having a gun and defending himself!" another commenter declared. "This is one of the EXACT reasons we have the Second Amendment! Thank heavens!"
"Multiple requests to leave?" another user asked. "Um, you're lucky if you get ONE request to leave."
"Shouldn't have to be transported to hospital," another commenter said, adding that it would "be much better if they transported the subject to morgue."
"Ain't no intruder gonna survive to tell at my house," another user promised.
"I love a happy ending," another commenter said.

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Woman fatally shoots 15-year-old home invader; cops arrest his fleeing alleged accomplice — who gets even more bad news

A Mississippi woman fatally shot a 15-year-old home invader over the weekend — and police later arrested his alleged accomplice.

Jackson police told WAPT-TV that two males wearing ski masks broke into a unit at the Park at Inverness apartment complex on Ridgewood Road around 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

'To be honest, they got what they deserved.'

Police told the station that the woman in the unit, fearing for her safety, grabbed a handgun and fired multiple rounds, hitting one of the masked males.

The masked male fell to the floor and later died, and his body was partially inside the apartment when police and investigators arrived. The coroner confirmed that he had been shot several times, WAPT said.

The second suspect who fled the scene — identified as 18-year-old Quintavion Myles — was located and arrested the same day, WLBT-TV reported.

The fatally shot suspect was identified on Sunday afternoon as 15-year-old Kaden Young, WLBT added.

The woman involved in the shooting was taken to police headquarters for questioning and later released, WAPT reported, adding that authorities said the shooting might be justifiable under the state's Castle Doctrine law.

Myles was booked into the city holding facility, WLBT reported.

Myles appeared in court Monday, WLBT said in follow-up story, and while he was granted a $150,000 bond for burglary of an occupied dwelling, he was denied bond on a murder charge.

Jackson Police Chief Tyree Jones told the station why Myles also was charged with murder: “As a result of their conspiracy to allegedly take this crime on their hands or to be involved in this crime, there’s a result of a loss of life. And by them acting in concert together, they’re both being, or they could both be held responsible for whatever happens."

The police department plans on sending its findings to the Hinds County District Attorney’s Office to consider whether they can be presented to a grand jury, WLBT said.

Jones added to the station that this crime should serve as a warning to young people.

“These things have to be considered when our youth are making decisions," he told WLBT. "You would hate to use this as a story to tell our youth about, but here we are. We’re having to use this as a story to our youth to show them ... this is what can potentially happen if you make the wrong decisions."

Tre Ingram, a resident of the Park at Inverness, told WAPT he has little if any sympathy for Myles or Young.

"To be honest, they got what they deserved," Ingram told the station. "They broke into her house. She had the right to defend herself."

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'Anyone who breaks into someone's home should expect to get shot': Gun-toting Florida homeowner takes care of business

An armed Florida homeowner fired shots in self-defense amid a burglary attempt Wednesday night, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies responded just before 8 p.m. Wednesday after a homeowner reported two suspects attempted to break into a house on Clearwater Road, officials said.

'This is a serious crime with real consequences.'

The homeowner fired a gun and struck a juvenile male suspect, who was later transported to a local hospital, where he was in stable condition, officials said.

A second suspect — later identified as 18-year-old Anson Shawn Drew of Fernandina Beach — fled the scene but was located shortly after with assistance from NCSO’s Drone Unit and K-9 Unit and air support from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, officials said.

WJAX-TV reported that the juvenile suspect was shot in his lower back. The station, citing the sheriff's office report, said Drew left one of his shoes behind when he ran off and was later arrested at his home.

Drew was charged with two counts of burglary, officials said.

According to victim statements, the homeowner heard voices and movement outside the residence and observed two individuals in the yard, officials said, adding that one suspect then forcibly opened the front door and shined a flashlight into the home.

The homeowner — in fear of bodily harm — fired two shots, officials said. Detectives determined that the homeowner’s actions were justified under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, the sheriff's office said.

"Anyone who breaks into someone's home should expect to get shot," Sheriff Bill Leeper said. "This is a serious crime with real consequences."

Image source: Nassau County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office

Leeper added that the “individuals said they liked to break into vacant homes to smoke weed," WJAX reported, adding that the sheriff’s office said the suspects didn’t have any marijuana on this occasion.

Drew was booked into the Nassau County Jail & Detention Center on a bond exceeding $10,000, officials said. Drew was not listed in the jail roster Friday morning.

The juvenile suspect will be charged pending a warrant for his arrest, officials said.

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Concealed carrier delivers swift justice when Chicago thugs allegedly approach him — and one pulls gun, demands his property

A concealed carrier wasted no time doling out justice when a pair of males allegedly attempted an armed robbery against him earlier this week.

Chicago police said a 39-year-old man was exiting his vehicle around 2:40 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Montana Street and Laramie Avenue in the city's Cragin neighborhood, WFLD-TV reported.

'So sick of thugs.'

With that, two males — Robert Cooks Jr., 23, and Teryon Pittman, 24 — approached him, and one of them pulled out a gun and demanded the victim's belongings, the station said.

Well, the victim wasn't having a bit of it.

Police said the CCL holder drew his own gun and fired multiple shots, striking Cooks in the legs, WFLD reported.

Cooks and Pittman both were charged with one felony count of armed robbery with a firearm, the station said.

Paramedics treated Cooks, after which he was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition, WFLD said.

The station added that Pittman has faced criminal charges in Chicago three times since 2020, including two cases of domestic battery.

Teryon PittmanImage source: Chicago Police

Both suspects have a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday, WFLD noted.

A number of commenters under the station's Facebook post about the incident didn't hold back.

"Great job CCL holder," one commenter wrote.
"Too bad!!! Pew pew," another user exclaimed.
"So he faced 3 charges since 2020 and still roaming the streets?" another commenter asked. "The court system is sad."
"That's awesome," another user noted.
"So sick of thugs," another commenter lamented.

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Gun-toting homeowner fires at burglar who broke into California residence after midnight; teen suspect shot multiple times

A gun-toting Los Angeles homeowner shot at a burglar who broke into the residence early Tuesday morning.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at the home in the 11600 block of Laurel Crest Drive in Studio City around 4 a.m., KNBC-TV reported, citing the Los Angeles Police Department.

'Too bad owner didn’t hit more suspects.'

Police said the homeowner shot at one of the burglary suspects, whom authorities identified as a 16-year-old male, KNBC reported.

The two suspected burglars fled the scene in a Black Chevy Traverse, the station said.

Police said the driver of a car matching the description of the suspected burglars’ getaway vehicle dropped off a 16-year-old at a hospital with gunshot wounds, KNBC noted.

The teen was hospitalized Tuesday afternoon, and his condition was stable, the station said, citing police.

None of the residents in the home were injured, and it was unknown if anything was taken, KNBC reported.

According to the station's video report, the second suspect is still on the loose, there were no physical descriptions of either suspect, and video shows a shattered glass back door.

A number of commenters underneath KNBC's Facebook post about the incident aired spirited reactions to it:

"California will probably charge the homeowner on some ridiculous law, and the 16-year-old’s family will probably sue the homeowner and win," one commenter noted.
"If you’re old enough to commit a crime then you’re old enough to get shot," another user said.
"Good," another commenter stated. "Too bad owner didn’t hit more suspects."
"Hopefully he learned his lesson [to] not break into people's houses," another user offered.

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'I have a gun; don't move!' Concealed carrier protecting his wife and kids confronts burglar — and shocked crook wises up.

The date on the indoor surveillance video reads January 19, and the time reads 12:44 a.m.

In that moment, the clip shows a break-in at a home in the affluent neighborhood of Jamaica Estates in Queens, New York. WABC-TV reported that the crew allegedly was looking to steal a luxury car's key fob.

'If they want to come back, let them.'

But the homeowner had a little surprise. He's a licensed concealed carrier — and was armed, the station said.

One of the burglars came into the home through a window, using a phone flashlight to check items in the kitchen, WABC said.

"I'm like, 'I have a gun; don't move!'" the homeowner recounted to the station.

Then the crook got lucky.

"I pull the trigger and the gun jams," the homeowner added to WABC. "By whatever divine intervention, the gun doesn't shoot."

Not that the burglar knew. Surveillance video shows the culprit running through the window where entry was gained — and the other crew members followed suit.

"Both of my cars are in the driveway. My lights turned on as soon as they approached the front gate. And so they knew somebody was home. But they didn't seem to care," the homeowner recalled to the station, adding that it was the one night he didn't activate the alarm system at his residence.

The homeowner said his wife and kids also were home at the time of the break-in, and the targeted item apparently was a key fob for his luxury Bentley vehicle, WABC said.

"The detectives told me. There was a dispatch for three other burglaries. Two of them were successful; they stole another Porsche and a Range Rover," the homeowner noted to the station.

The crime spike has put on alert Jewish residents who might be on vacation for Yeshiva, WABC said.

"If they want to come back, let them. This time the gun won't be jammed. Hopefully, it won't get there. But I don't feel like I have a target on my back, because everybody here is a target — it's a collective community," the homeowner added to the station.

Police are looking for the three suspects involved in the incident, WABC added.

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Gun-toting Texas uncle wastes no time punching holes in armed crooks he sees robbing his nephew

2 Florida 15-year-olds accused of threatening to shoot up high schools

Stolen car goes airborne 'Dukes of Hazzard' style amid police chase — but occupants sure ain't no Bo or Luke

Florida man chases alleged armed crooks out of his home, rams their SUV into ditch — but trio flee on foot into woods

Florida home invader threatens homeowner with weapon, advances toward him, refuses to leave. But crook picks wrong victim.

Woman fatally shoots 15-year-old home invader; cops arrest his fleeing alleged accomplice — who gets even more bad news

'Anyone who breaks into someone's home should expect to get shot': Gun-toting Florida homeowner takes care of business

Concealed carrier delivers swift justice when Chicago thugs allegedly approach him — and one pulls gun, demands his property

Gun-toting homeowner fires at burglar who broke into California residence after midnight; teen suspect shot multiple times

'I have a gun; don't move!' Concealed carrier protecting his wife and kids confronts burglar — and shocked crook wises up.

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