Man shot at by victim during burglary

Troopers from the Delaware State Police, with the assistance of the Laurel Police Department, report they have arrested a 44-year-old Laurel man in connection with a burglary, during which he was shot at.

According to the report, the incident happened around 2:30PM on Thursday, when troopers were dispatched to a home on Chipmans Pond Road for a report of a burglary.

When troopers arrived, they say that the 78-year-old male victim explained that he had just gotten back to his house when he noticed black car in his driveway, and damage to a window with some of his property lying underneath.

Once inside the residence, the victim allegedly saw more property lying on the floor near the damaged window.

Officials say the victim was startled by a man, later identified as Robert L. Jefferson, 44, of Laurel, running through the house carrying some of the victim’s property.

The report states that the victim grabbed his 12 gauge shotgun and began searching for the suspect in his house, making several announcements that he was armed.

The homeowner then apparently saw Jefferson running through his yard towards his -Jefferson’s- car. Once Jefferson got in the car, the victim allegedly fired one birdshot round at the car, shattering the passenger’s side window. Officials say that the suspect was able to drive away from the home in an unknown direction.

According to officials, a general bulletin was put out over the radio with a description of the vehicle, which was soon found in the parking lot of the Laurel Food Lion by officers from Laurel Police Department.

The officers say they saw Jefferson entering the Food Lion, and were able to find him hiding at the back of the store where he was taken into custody without incident.

Jefferson was turned over to troopers at the scene and taken to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released with a minor abrasion to his back that may have been caused by one of the pellets.

He was then taken to Troop 4 in Georgetown where he was charged with burglary 2nd, possession of burglary tools, theft under $1500 where a victim is 62 or older, and criminal mischief.  He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $5,000 secured bond.

Officials note that the victim has not been charged with any crime.