Man Stops Alleged Burglar With Helmet

PALM BAY, FL (AP) -- A homeowner stopped an alleged burglar by beating him into submission with a football helmet. Kevin Williams, 44, of Palm Bay spotted a man outside his window at 3:15 a.m. Monday using a screwdriver to pry at the screen door, Florida Today reported.

"I had to protect my home . . . I wasn't sure what in the world he would do, rape my wife, steal something, I didn't know," Williams said. "I got my son's helmet from the garage, went out there and hit him several times. I started from the head and worked my way down to the body."

Police arrested Michael Elliot Brown, 30, on charges of occupied burglary attempt and possession of burglary tools.

Williams said he is thinking about buying a gun for protection. He said he has lived in the same neighborhood for 17 years without any previous problems.

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