Prospect homeowner fires shot at masked intruders during break-in

The homeowner believes the suspects were part of an organized group — possibly a transnational burglary ring — that carefully scoped out the home in advance.

PROSPECT, Ky. (WDRB) -- A late-night break-in at a luxury home in one of Louisville's most exclusive neighborhoods ended with a local attorney firing a shot at two masked men who forced their way inside.

The homeowner, who asked not to be identified, said Tuesday that the break-in happened around 9:45 p.m. Saturday at his home in The Sutherland subdivision off U.S. 42.

"I never expected what happened the night of August the 2nd," he said.

He said he had gone to bed early that night when his dogs began barking in a way that immediately alarmed him. Moments later, his home's security alarm went off.

News | Crime | Business | Community

"I was in bed at 6:30, believe it or not, and the dog started barking. ... They were barking in an unusual manner," he said. "So I reached into the drawer of the table next to my bed and pulled out my .44 Magnum pistol and I went out the entrance to the bedroom."

That's when he came face-to-face with two masked intruders in the middle of his home.

"And I said, 'What's going on?' And they turned around and took off, and I tried to shoot 'em," he said. "I missed but I tried."

The suspects escaped through a back door, jumped over a rear railing and disappeared into a wooded area near a nearby park. A man walking his dogs told the homeowner he was nearly run over by the men, who were speaking Spanish and fled the scene in a waiting SUV.

The homeowner believes the suspects were part of an organized group — possibly a transnational burglary ring — that carefully scoped out the home in advance.

"Until I talked to the police and then I got a better idea of their M.O., I knew they watched for houses they thought were vacant," he said. "There's no doubt they had my house under surveillance for a period of time ... to establish there was nothing going on inside."

He said the suspects were dressed in dark sweat suits and wore masks. They didn't steal anything, but he believes they were targeting high-end valuables that can't easily be traced.

"They go to the master bedroom and steal property — money, jewelry, clothes, shoes, things that are of value but are not readily identifiable," he said. "They don't take guns, because guns have serial numbers and can be traced."

The man said he's spoken with other victims and believes the same group may have hit nearby homes over the past two years, including houses in The Breakers and Innisbrook subdivisions.

"They got away with a substantial amount of property — over $100,000," he said.

He now hopes his story encourages others to stay vigilant.

"I would encourage everybody to lock their doors, to get cameras installed and to have alarms set up that will go off in case there's an unexpected intrusion," he said. "You need to have a plan if your residence is invaded — either an immediate 911 call or some kind of protection ... something to isolate yourself from these burglars."

The Prospect Police Department is investigating the case but hasn't made any arrests yet. Anyone with information is asked to contact them.

The Kentucky Supreme Court could change JCPS power. Are Louisville laws also at stake?

Brooks Houck, Crystal Rogers went to family farm 'to get away' the night she vanished