Boy, home alone, helps police nab burglar

A 12-year-old boy is credited with helping put a burglar behind bars. Quick thinking, and a cool head helped the boy lead detectives to the burglar.

The boy called 9-1-1.

Dispatcher Pender County 9-1-1. “What’s the address of your emergency?”

Boy: “Um, there’s someone trying to break in to my house. My parents aren’t at home. They’re at work and I’m sick.

Dispatcher: “Are you at home?”

Boy: “Yes. I’m alone. He’s trying to break in to the back door. Please hurry.”

The ten minute 9-1-1 call tells the story of a twelve year old’s bravery.

Last Tuesday, Jeremy Hix allegedly broke into two homes on Topsail Watch Lane in Hampstead. Hix’s third attempt was foiled by a boy, home sick from school.

Boy: “He’s banging on the door. He’s trying to break it. I don’t know. Please hurry. I’m really scared. I called my mom.”

Carson Smith, the Pender County Sheriff, said, “I think the impressive thing is here, at his age, the ability to remain calm and really handled the situation well until we got there.”

Dispatcher: “You’re doing a great job.”

Boy: “Thank you.”

Dispatcher: “You’re doing an awesome job.”

Pender County Sheriff Carson Smith said 19-year-old Hix eventually got inside and the boy hid in the bathroom until deputies arrived.

Detectives were able to arrest Hix, thanks to information provided by the boy.

Sheriff Smith said it proves you don’t need a badge to help take bad guys of the street.

Jeremy Hix is in the Pender County Jail under $125,000 bond. He’s charged with two felony counts; one for larceny, the other breaking and entering, and possession of stolen goods.