Woman witnesses man breaking into elderly neighbor's home - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

A burglary suspect in Richmond's east end is captured thanks to a neighbor's watchful eye. She saw a man breaking into a senior's home and immediately called 911.

Before 79-year-old Arthur Jackson arrived, police cars were already surrounding his home on Spotsylvania street in Richmond's east end.

Next door neighbor, Mary James says she noticed a man trying to break into Jackson's home by removing an AC window unit.

James grabbed her phone and dialed 911 immediately. Within a minute police arrived and say they caught 52-year-old Johnnie Baker Jr. in Jackson's bathroom.

Off camera, Jackson says he wasn't home at the time but he says he knew baker who had repaired his car before, and he believes the man was going for his money. Along with cash, police also found hand wrenches and screw drivers used to break in on July 17th.

"I was like, it's not my house, I shouldn't call police," said neighbor Mary James. "I said it's too close to me. It could be my home.

James says she wasn't sure if she should call police but her instincts told her to. It's her quick thinking that got Officer Deane Waite on scene fast.

"Bottom line, call police," said Officer Waite. "We do not mind coming out for 999 false alarms if that one catches the offender, then that's our job."

James just felt it was her duty to look after her 79-year-old neighbor.

"I saved the life of my neighbor," James noted.

Now, she's going to look after her and her husband.

"You can bet your money on it I'm going to get a security system," James added.

Richmond Police say the suspect, Johnnie Baker, had gotten out of jail recently. Neighbors are now thinking about starting up a community watch group.

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