MERRILLVILLE | A woman scared off men accused of breaking into homes by using her gun for protection, according to court documents.
James Deweese, 30, of Michigan City, and David Keck, 26, of Crown Point, each were charged with residential entry and criminal mischief in connection with the March 11 incident that occurred in the 4600 block of East 101st Avenue.
A resident there told police she saw a black Ford Fusion pull up on her driveway.
A man left the car, walked to her door and began knocking and ringing the doorbell for several minutes, court records state.
The woman told police she grabbed her handgun for protection because she was suspicious of the man.
The man allegedly kicked in her door, and the woman pointed her gun at him.
The man ran back to the car, which was driven by another person, and the woman took a picture of the car on her cellphone, court documents state.
After viewing the picture and a list of car sales, police determined the 2013 Ford Fusion appeared to be same one sold to Keck.
After Merrillville detectives went to Keck's home, he told police Deweese told him to stop at the residence after the two received treatment at a methadone clinic. Keck indicated Deweese was the person who kicked in the door and fled back to the vehicle, according to court documents.
After viewing a picture display, the woman also identified Deweese as the person who kicked in her door.
The two men also are accused of burglarizing a home in the 8700 block of Tyler Street earlier on March 11.
Deweese told police he and Keck drove to the Tyler Street home, and Keck kicked in the door and came out carrying jewelry boxes.
He indicated Keck later threw the boxes from a window in the car they were driving because he thought they would get caught with the items.
Keck told police he was involved in the incident, but he said Deweese was the person who kicked in the door and took the items, court documents state.
Near the intersection of 97th Avenue and Clay Street, police located jewelry reported stolen from the Tyler Street home.
Deweese and Keck each face one count of burglary in connection with that incident.
Merrillville Police Chief Joseph Petruch said both of the men are in custody.
A rash of burglaries have occurred recently in the southern area of Merrillville and south Lake County, he said.
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