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Boy, Home Alone, Stops Robbery By Calling The Police (VIDEO)

First Posted: 12/28/11 01:11 PM ET Updated: 12/28/11 02:44 PM ET

Home Alone Robbery

Instead of knocking the burglars outside his house with a shovel like Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone," this 12-year-old did the safe and mature thing when strangers knocked on his front door Tuesday in La Mirada. He called the police.

As the Orange County Register reports, three burglars knocked on the front door and, apparently believing no one was home, walked around to the back yard. Meanwhile, at about 12:30pm, the boy called 911 and, according to Fullerton police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich, "was kind of watching from whatever vantage point he had in the house. He saw them coming in and kept the dispatchers informed of what was going on."

Police rushed to the scene with lights and sirens, and the suspects fled in a pickup upon the officers' arrival. A car chase ensued, ending with the suspects crashing into another vehicle and then fleeing from their car.

As the Los Angeles Times reports, the police arrested Deon William Oden, 23 of Los Angeles on suspicion of burglary, felony evading and felony hit and run. The Fullerton Police asks that anyone with any information on the other two suspects, a man and a woman in her 30s, to call Det. Michael Hines at (714) 773-5765 or the department at (714) 738-6716.

Fullerton police Capt. Dan Hughes told CBS that "this method of residential burglary, sometimes referred to as 'knock-knock bandits,' is becoming more common."

He continued, "We want to remind residents that, depending upon the situation, advising someone who is at your door that you are home without opening the door is something people should consider."

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Instead of knocking the burglars outside his house with a shovel like Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone," this 12-year-old did the safe and mature thing when strangers knocked on his front door Tuesday i...
Instead of knocking the burglars outside his house with a shovel like Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone," this 12-year-old did the safe and mature thing when strangers knocked on his front door Tuesday i...
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08:45 AM on 01/06/2012
I am glad that the boy is safe, and I hope the burglar be found immediately by the authorities. I have two sons and I always remind them some safety measures on how to handle an emergency situation. Like for example if someone trying to get in the house do not face the intruder, instead get your phone hide yourself in a safer place and dial police immediately. I have also provided them a mobile application for safety and protection. Just pressing a button they can notify and alert friends, family and myself. If needed, the call will be routed to the nearest 911 dispatch. Protect your children check this out http://Safekidzone.com/
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whoknew222
I learn something new every day.
01:50 PM on 12/29/2011
I always wonder why they have the sirens on when apprpaching what they know is a crime in progress. In this case it may have been to get them away from the house and kid. There are other times that is defeats the whole purpose, though. One occasion people not from our little stree were using the parking are across the street to hang out and play loud, obnoxious music after midnight and every time the police came they warned them and by the time they got there there was no noise. As soon as they would leave the music would start again. I callled so many times they threatened to come arrest me for calling! I fianlly explained that my landlord, who spoke very little english and on his death bed was my concern and that he had been there all of his 80+ years and should have the right to some peace in his own home under the circumstances and would they, please, at leat ask them to go somewhere where they would not bother anyone, that they came unannounced and asked them to relocate. Had they arrived and done that the first time the end result would have been the same. It still makes no sense to me.
10:12 AM on 12/29/2011
I predict that his brothers, Leon and Peon, will be caught any day now.
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10:03 AM on 12/29/2011
These Nubian feral pavement apes were simply out for a day of holiday shopping. This is how they do it down in jungle land. Sigh....
09:34 AM on 12/29/2011
I alway's answer the door with both my friends Smith and Wesson!!!
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thetxsndn
Man Plans. God laughs.
01:05 PM on 12/29/2011
Amen to that ! Mama Llama is always by my side.
09:00 AM on 12/29/2011
wrangell-- are you some kind of an idiot??
08:33 AM on 12/29/2011
I don't have to answer, my Rottweiler answers for me!
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landslowrance
Karma, it's everywhere you are!
08:22 AM on 12/29/2011
Bing it on Knock Knock bandits, come on in and "Make My Day", I got Boom Boom waiting to greet you.
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kutepi4791
09:15 AM on 12/29/2011
So do I. I never answer my door unless I peek thru my little window and see who it is. If I don't know them I don't answer. Don''t even try to break in or you will be sorry.
08:14 AM on 12/29/2011
House was not burgled - sounds like trespassing with intent? BUT why would cops rush there with sirens etc - - thus warning intruders? They'd have to be totally stupid ti continue what they were doing, knowing the impending presence of police was probably to arrest them? With less 'bells and whistles' seems these guys could have been arrested w/out the typical cops v robbers chase (which cost some a vehicle - as they crashed into it!)
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kutepi4791
09:16 AM on 12/29/2011
I was thinking the same thing myseld unless they were afraid the burgulars might catch the kid and harm him.
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njdavenj
Trust No One ! "The X-Files"
09:47 AM on 12/29/2011
Sorry about the unintended typo. Meant to say "Concerned".
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njdavenj
Trust No One ! "The X-Files"
09:46 AM on 12/29/2011
The police did this, as they were conserned for the safety of the young man inside the house!
07:39 AM on 12/29/2011
My feeling is, that if they had not used siren's and lights near the home...they would have had a foot chase instead of a car wreck. Hopefully no guns are used in these knock-knock thefts.
08:10 AM on 12/29/2011
Or maybe if they didn't use the lights and sirens they would have gotten into the house, found the boy and held him hostage or killed him. Brilliant idea.
02:45 PM on 12/29/2011
Golly Greg 0410 you don't have to be nasty. It was my thought but I guess you felt that by chasing them in the vehicle and causing an accident was OK for you. If the police thought that these people had a gun or knife from what the dispatcher was telling them then all was fine.
You never know...they might have stayed in the house after hearing the sirens. Have a nice day Greg...I think you need one.
07:07 AM on 12/29/2011
Lucky boy.
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qsfoxx
still chasing the wascally wabbit...
05:46 AM on 12/29/2011
In a related case a youthful blonde woman was unable to stop a robbery in progress because of difficulty reaching emergency services in her town. She complained that no matter how many times she dialed '1-1-9' she was unable to get through.
05:34 AM on 12/29/2011
Why is this news? It's what people are supposed to do. 12yrs old or 70yrs old doesn't matter
09:10 AM on 12/29/2011
It was a pi** poor attempt by Huff Post to show us all the intelligence of using a phone and calling the police vs. using a gun. Of course, most of us see right through that and just nod our heads and laugh.
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njdavenj
Trust No One ! "The X-Files"
09:50 AM on 12/29/2011
There are more 12 year old kid's out there that would have been frozen in terrifying FEAR!
That's what make's this one remarkable news story!
04:39 AM on 12/29/2011
Good for the 12 year old. And Praise the Lord, the police are trained in how to respond to a certain case appropriately.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34).
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njdavenj
Trust No One ! "The X-Files"
04:33 AM on 12/29/2011
Very brave and smart young guy!